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MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Squires Chiropractic, Smith & Eddy Insurance, and VanderHaag Car Sales & Rentals.
Learning life lessons through athletics
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
WHITEHALL — Over the past couple of years, my 11-year-old daughter, Sloane and her teammates have participated in the West Michigan Adrenaline Basketball program. This year’s games have taken place at the Sporthouse Athletic Center in Norton Shores and the Viking Athletic Center in Whitehall. The program previously took place at Mona Shores Public Schools.
Under the direction of head coach Jeff Tuka (Mason County Central High School principal and former varsity basketball coach), our mighty Spartans of Scottville have taken on some teams from much bigger schools. Coach Tuka and assistant coaches Brittany Kill and Trevor McManus have been with these girls since they were in second grade. Now in fifth grade, they continue to grow not only as athletes but also as students and friends. Activities such as this, at least to my family, aren’t about turning our daughter into a professional athlete but rather they are about teaching her how to work with others, how to compete, and about learning to take directions from mentors.
On Saturday, for the second week in a row, our Spartans took on one of the Ludington Orioles teams. Many of these girls are already friends with each other. Some of these girls will continue to compete with each other for the next seven years. Hopefully, beyond being competitors, they will continue to develop friendships that will last longer than their school years.
Coaches Matt Murphy and Sarah Givens (brother and sister) did a great job coaching their young, spunky Orioles. The Lady O’s may not have scored very high but they played a tough game and will only grow from these experiences.
The Spartans were victorious 50-7 on Saturday. Last week, the Spartans won 23-12.
But, winning and losing are part of the life lessons these children learn in athletics and other school activities. For all these girls there will always be wins and losses. These lessons will make them stronger and more successful adults.
Participation in the West Michigan Adrenaline Basketball is not school-sanctioned and is organized by individual coaches. Locally, Scottville and Ludington have very well-organized recreation basketball programs for children in elementary and middle school grades. Scottville’s recreation program is administered by Mason County Central and Ludington’s program is administered by Ludington Area School District. The two programs cooperatively organize competitions, along with programs from communities in neighboring counties.
Local girls elementary recreation basketball takes place in the fall and does not conflict with the West Michigan Adrenaline Basketball league that begins in January.
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