by Sherry Bowman-Kluck
It was a time of celebration for the Taconic Valley Youth Basketball Program on Sunday afternoon, March 1 at the Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center. An active group of young basketball players and their families congregated to enjoy the Annual Banquet and Pizza Party.
[private]Taconic Valley Youth Basketball Director Kyle Jansen reiterated the goal of the program. TVYBB continues to develop into a more competitive genre, fostering the long term investment of future Berlin School District Middle and High School basketball players while providing the community’s youth with a fun, skills-based program. This involves a more competitive program for the third and fourth, fifthand sixth (travel) grade teams and an ability to work more on fundamentals with the first and second grade teams.
With new growth comes the need for more decision-making. Trisha Jansen, who assists with much of the game coordination and behind-the-scenes work, presented the vision of creating a Parent and Volunteer Committee that would help with such decision-making matters. Next season will include the appointment of willing parents and volunteers who feel motivated and invested in continuing the goals and success of TVYBB. All who are interested are asked to volunteer.
Kyle Jansen also remarked that the program’s success is largely in part due to the vast amount of community support such as the Petersburgh Veteran’s Memorial Community Center, the Berlin Central School District, as well as, the many coaches and volunteers who give a substantial amount of their time.
The PVMCC, for several years now, has generously provided a place for TVYBB to practice free of charge. Jansen thanked and presented the PVMCC Board with a framed picture collage of all the teams within the program. The five years of pictures are proudly showcased on the table when you enter the front door of the Hall.
The Berlin Central School continues to allow TVYBB to utilize both the elementary and high school gymnasiums for weekday practices and weekend games. This has been essential in promoting growth and development with other basketball leagues in the area. Ultimately, it results in significantly more games being scheduled and played. Having the “home court” with a full-sized gym allows TVYBB to participate in league play with paid officials to referee, making every game a fair and valuable learning experience.
Kevin Billert, a Fifth and Sixth Grade Team Coach, was recognized and thanked for his many years of dedication to the program. This was his last season as his son Kasey will be moving on to Berlin’s Modified Basketball Program next year. Jansen further emphasized a great deal of thanks and appreciation for those coaches volunteering their time to benefit our community’s youth. Gifts were given to Coach Deanna Hansen for the First and Second Boys and Girls, Coach Kyle Jansen and Assistant Amy Reger for the Third and Fourth Girls, Coach Kristi Culbertson and Assistant Joel Shorter for the Third and Fourth Boys, and Coach Kevin Billert, Coach Jim Votra and Assistant Gene Kluck for Fifth and Sixth Boys.
The evening concluded with the presentation of individual trophies to each player by their team coach and unlimited pizza and drinks to celebrate another great season![/private]