Tis the season; or maybe one should say “It’s basketball season.”

The Ironton Youth Basketball League opened its season on Saturday December 10th with 10 games. The league is enjoying its largest enrollment in recent years and possibly ever.

There are 215 boys and girls in the 3rd through 6th grades currently on teams within the league. The 4 different divisions contain 25 total teams which is more than the league has ever had in one season. This hopefully makes the future seem bright for Ironton and St. Joe’s Boys and Girls basketball programs.

The league is fortunate to have a group of coaches who have emphasized the fundamental basketball skills as well as good sportsmanship.

These coaches were also willing to work together and divide the teams as equally as possible to keep games competitive. This was evident as the first three games of the season were each decided by a single point.

The season will run until the last weekend of February with all games taking place at the Ironton Middle School.

There are games every Saturday (except Christmas Eve) along with some weeknights. If you have the time, check out these games and support the youth of Ironton. The games promise to be entertaining, competitive or both.

Congratulations to the Symmes Valley football B team and the Rock Hill football A team as they won the Super Bowls in the Teen OVC this season.

Congratulations also go out to the Ironton Bills and Ironton Eagles A and B teams on their football seasons. These teams may not have won Super Bowls but their hard work and effort deserved to be recognized.

Jim Mahlmeister is the city of Ironton Recreation Director.