Medford Summer Hoops Becomes Official

– Allison Goldsberry

What began as a couple of pick-up games on hot summer nights at local parks has turned into a city-wide recreational basketball league that involves 100 boys and girls from fifth grade through high school.

The city approved a revolving account for the program that will enable the league to use fees collected pay for T-shirts, referees, and scoreboards for the games, held twice a week at Carr and Barry parks.

It costs just $50 per child to play in the league, which began June 10 and runs through the end of July.

“We want to promote the game of basketball in the city,” said Medford Recreation Director Mark Smith.

Smith said the program creates a youth “feeder system” for basketball in the city, which already has similar programs for several other sports.