The first season of Blacktop Basketball for kids is coming to a close May 1 in Scarborough. We had 21 kids in first through fourth grades participating in outdoor basketball sessions on Saturdays in March and April at a private asphalt court, sponsored by the Scarborough Youth Sports Forum.

A ventriloquist doll is used as a teaching tool by the coaches. We tell the kids, “Don’t be a mannequin! Move away from the ball to get open!” The sessions have focused on gaining the ability to pass better, see the whole court, rebound, and play defense. Full court and half court scrimmages have been featured in the sessions.

Next year, we will do four one-hour sessions: one for boys first and second grade, one for girls, one for boys third and fourth grade, and one for girls.

Thanks, finally, to the sponsors who allowed us to buy each player a tank top emblazoned with the language: “I am a graduate of Asphalt U – Back to Blacktop; Back to Basics.”

The generous local businesses were: Saco and Biddeford Savings; Jeff Worthing CPA; Moody’s Collision Center; Rick Murphy of Linsco Private Ledger; Jeff Jones, Attorney at Law; and Robin Carlson of State Farm Insurance. Thanks also to the parents for bringing their kids each week and realizing as our town heads into Class A basketball competition in high school that playing on asphalt is a good way to breed a new generation of “adventurous” ballplayers.

Dan Warren

Director, Scarborough Youth Sports Forum