After eight weeks of honing their skills and building character through teamwork, YMCA basketball teams had the option of playing in our YMCA tournament. We combined teams from our Walnut Creek Y with teams from the Waukee and South Suburban branches and ended up with 42 teams.
We had five divisions - 3rd/4th grade boys; girls, 5th/6th grade boys; girls and 7th grade boys. Every team got to play at least two games and in true YMCA fashion, more than winning was celebrated.
In each division, played at five different sites throughout the area, five players were recognized with the Sportsmanship Award for a total of 25 great young athletes of character.
These players were observed interacting positively with teammates, coaches, referees and even opponents. Players were seen helping the opposition off the floor, high-fiving and encouraging their begginner-level teammates and even admitting to a referee that he touched the ball last. These players were given a plaque in post-game ceremonies where winning and losing teams could feel good and appreciate what is most important in sports.
It was a fun-filled day of competition across the association and we saw a lot of good basketball! Here are some of the outcomes:
3rd/4th Grade Boys
Champions - Walnut Creek Heat
3rd/4th Grade Girls
Champions - Waukee Bulldogs
5th/6th Grade Boys
Champions - Walnut Creek Bulldogs
5th/6th Grade Girls
Champions - Walnut Creek Starz
7th Grade Boys
Champions - Walnut Creek Lions
Sportsmanship Award Winners (to name a few):
Jack Wilkinson - Wolverines
Charley Dunham - Tornados
Rowan Forsythe
Dylan Wolfe - Warriors (pictured)
Nathan Sweers - Huskies
Bryan Joos - Hawkeyes
Eddie Schulte - Panthers
Colt Palmer - Hawks
