River Valley hoopsters play for fun

Bruce Powell, left, and Riley Keene chase down the basketball before it goes out of bounds at the River Valley Recreation Center in Mexico. Fifty-eight children in prekindergarten and first grade are enrolled in the program. *Bruce Farrin/Rumford Falls Times*

Ivan Oldham, left, and Delaney Thurston guard against the inbounds throw during a basketball game at the River Valley Recreation Center in Mexico. Fifty-eight children in prekindergarten and first grade are enrolled in the program. *Bruce Farrin/Rumford Falls Times*

Adeline Cox guards Bradley Bordeau, who looks to pass the basketball at the River Valley Recreation Center in Mexico. Fifty-eight children in prekindergarten and first grade are enrolled in the program. *Bruce Farrin/Rumford Falls Times*

Gage Campbell looks to the hoop, defended by Adeline Cox and Finn Therriault during a basketball game at the River Valley Recreation Center in Mexico. Fifty-eight children in prekindergarten and first grade are enrolled in the program. *Bruce Farrin/Rumford Falls Times*

MEXICO — The basketball program at the River Valley Recreation Center is in high gear, starting at the prekindergarten to first-grade level.

Recreation Director Wayne Sevigny said it’s the only program he knows that offers competition games at this early level.

Players get a wristband in a color that matches the person on the opposing team they are to defend. There’s more running than dribbling, and stealing the ball is not allowed.

Activity Director Justeen LaPointe said the scoreboard also shows a tie at the end of the game and players are fine with that, but some parents and grandparents are not.

She said the focus is on developing social skills and having a good experience so they’ll want to continue playing as they get older.

Sevigny said 58 children in the River Valley are participating in the early level.

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Bruce Farrin