Spring Rec Basketball League in 1st Season

Youth in Medford’s first spring basketball league compete in a recent game. Courtesy photo.

8th, 9th Graders Come Together to Shoot Hoops

The following announcement was submitted to InsideMedford.com by Medford Recreation

This spring some of the most exciting young basketball talent in the local area can be found twice a week in Medford. Sponsored by Medford Recreation and supported in part by The Metro-Mayors Coalition with the Shannon Grant for at-risk youths, a number of future hoop stars are gathering on Sunday and Tuesday evenings at the Gene Mack Gymnasium. This program is targeted at 8th and 9th graders who have no current league, team or other avenue for their exceptional talents. Included are squads from neighboring towns such as Malden, Somerville and Cambridge as well as a terrific Medford team.

Mark Antonelli, the boys’ basketball head coach from Somerville High School said: “This spring league has been a wonderful experience for our kids. They all love the game of basketball and this league, with its top-notch facility (the Gene Mack Gymnasium) and various support groups, allows mutual respect (as well as healthy rivalries) to develop between players from a number of the surrounding towns such as Malden and Medford.”

Encouraged by the success of the spring league, organizer Mark Smith from Medford Recreation has indicated an expanded program is being considered for the fall as long as funding is available. In the meantime, if you’d like a sneak peak at the future of local high school basketball it can be found right here in Medford at the Gene Mack Gymnasium at 50 Forest Street in Medford Square.