The Trail Men’s Basketball League hit the hard courts last week, with 54 players ready to make a run at the championship.
The five-team league composed of Castlegar Realty, Adrenaline Adventures, Mota Automotive Ltd., Rock Island Tape Centre and Whitebird Saloon from Northport will play at J. L. Crowe this season with all rental fees going back into Crowe athletics.
“We are also able to employ students as our scorekeepers providing jobs to Crowe students,” said league organizer Steve Mota who also coaches Crowe’s senior boys basketball team.
Due to problems with Trail recreation fees, the TMBL had to relocate to Rossland Secondary School before returning to Trail last year.
According to Mota, Crowe athletic director Larry Reid was instrumental in securing the “best facility in the area” for the TMBL again this season.
“I don’t think Larry gets the credit he deserves with school sports. I couldn’t do what I do without him,” added Mota.
The games are very competitive and the TMBL one of the elite leagues in the Kootenays.
Only six points separated first and fifth place last season and Mota looks for more of the same parity over their 15-game campaign this year, topped off with a three-game playoff in March.
“We’d love to see more local fans and young kids come out and witness good basketball,” added Mota.
“All-in-all we are ambassadors of the game of basketball. No one is bigger than the game, and we are excited to watch our sport grow.”
Except for the first two weeks, teams play Wednesdays at the J. L. Crowe gymnasium with two games each evening, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. Admission to the games is free.
The TMBL is also officiated by representatives from the West Kootenay Basketball Officials Association (KBOA).
Officials are paid for each game and the league is currently looking for referees to officiate Men’s and High School basketball.
Anyone over 14 can join, call Dave Brewer at 367-6369. The next KBOA meeting goes at Twin River School Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.