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Basketball

Shoot Hoops with the Inventors of Basketball!

The Y's Basketball Leagues are fun, skill-building programs, with options for young players of all abilities. The only requirement is an excitement to explore and participate in the wonderful world of basketball. And yes, the YMCA invented the game of basketball in 1890 using peach baskets as hoops!

Slam dunk!

With a variety of leagues and programs to choose from, children of all ages will have a ball building and improving their basketball skills!
  • A boy learning to dribble a basketball

    Basketball Level 1

    This class is designed to work on the basic fundamentals of basketball, such as passing, dribbling, and movement. These classes will focus on hand-eye coordination and introduce the ideas of sportsmanship and team play, setting your little ones up to shoot for the moon!
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  • A girl dribbling a basketball

    Basketball Level 2

    Players will focus on improving passing, dribbling, and shooting skills. This program focuses on teaching players new offensive moves by developing the footwork and ball skills necessary for success. This class is ideal for players in any of our leagues, or for anyone who wants to improve their basketball skills.
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  • Two boys jumping for a basketball

    YBL Basketball (Grades K-12)

    Ready to shoot some hoops? The Y Youth Basketball League focuses on developing players’ skills and overall enjoyment of the sport of basketball. All teams have trained coaches for all age levels.
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  • Two boys with arms around each other with a basketball

    High School Basketball League

    Grab your friends and join our High School Basketball League! High Schoolers at the Y are always encouraged to build friendships, play fair, and be themselves. Players will need to sign up as a team. Games for this league are played on Sundays. Ready? Let’s play!
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Dribble on Over to the Y!

Each one of our basketball programs provides the kids in your life with pure confidence every time they walk onto the court! The game begins at your local Y.

Find My Y

A Whole New Ball Game

Did you know that basketball was invented at the Y?

In 1891, the Y asked faculty member James Naismith to invent a new game that would be interesting, easy to learn, and easy to play indoors in the winter. However, Naismith had been assigned a group of young men who were completely uninterested in exercise! After his attempts to modify soccer and football failed miserably, Naismith came up with the rules for a completely new game: a ball, two goals, and a framework that encouraged teamwork instead of violence. 

In December 1891, the first basketball points ever were scored — right into a repurposed peach basket! Today, we can thank Naismith every time we turn on a basketball game or score a basket ourselves.