Basketball tourney ends season

      One of the biggest basketball tournaments to entertain Las Vegas took place the weekend of March 7, and no, it wasn't the Western Athletic Conference postseason tourney.
      Celebrating its fifth year of existence in fine fashion, the Summerlin Youth Basketball League crowned eight champions at Palo Verde High.
      "Today is the real payoff, when you see all these kids at once," said Greg Hair, league president. "The efforts we've made this year allowed more than 600 kids a chance to play."
      The league, which started with 18 teams in 1993 and had 52 last year, had a record 70 squads competing this year. The girls' league, which doubled last year from six to 12 teams, had 19 teams this season.
      Hair said the league's growth has been overwhelming at times, but he attributes much of the success to the participants and volunteers involved with the league.
      "There is a core of about 12 people who have devoted their time," he said. "It's hard to explain how much of their heart and pride they put into it."
      Hair credited league secretary Kim Green for making the tournament a success, saying "she goes way above and beyond the call of duty to make this happen."
      In the girls brackets, which played their championship games Feb. 28, the Yellowjackets were led by MVP Libby Brooks and beat the Spartans 39-32 in the minor division; MVP Jordyn Bowen led the Tarheels to the junior division crown with a 40-37 victory over the Rebels; and, in the senior division, it was the Liberty toppling the Rockers 51-29 behind MVP Erica Santigate.
      In the minor boys division, it was the Orangemen beating the Longhorns 60-49 behind MVP Blake Saunders; the Bruins beat the Huskies 54-36 in the junior division with MVP Bryan Siebert Jr. leading the charge; MVP Chris Moreo led the Rebels to a 60-31 victory over the Bruins in the junior all-net division; the Lakers beat the Jazz 53-47 behind MVP Danny Snyder to capture the senior division; and, in the senior all-net division, the Magic whipped the Suns 59-42 with MVP Andy Gums leading the way.
      After each championship game on March 7, every team in the league was honored with trophies and plaques. In addition, sportsmanship awards were given to two players from each team, and tournament trophies were given to the players of each qualifying team.
      The league, which included more than 650 boys and girls in grades 3-8, completed its fifth year as part of National Junior Basketball, a program designed to develop basketball skills, good sportsmanship and team competition.
      In addition, it stresses player participation, team practices and clinics emphasizing basic fundamentals to create a true learning experience for every participant.
      National Junior Basketball provides league insurance, uniforms, pictures, trophies, league clinics and certified National Junior Basketball referees.