WINTER GUIDE
THE ASTORIAN
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021 • 7
Youth basketball catching on
By GARY HENLEY
The Astorian
The sport that put Clatsop County on
the basketball map back in the 1930s
continues to grow at the youth level in
2021, where the Astoria School District
has formed a youth basketball program.
As of late November, “Over 345 kids
in grades one through grade six have
signed up and are enjoying the experi-
ence,” according to a post on the school
district’s Facebook page.
A number of sponsors are supporting
the program. The school-based program
replaces the Astoria city league program
for the 2021-22 school year.
Registration took place in November,
with the schedule featuring games eve-
nings and weekends through December.
First through third graders partici-
pate in an open-gym format with skill
instruction; and students in fourth
through sixth grades play on organized
teams and participate in practices and
games.
Participation in the program is free to
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COMMUNITY!
Some places to contact if you are in need of assistance during this time:
Clatsop Community Action 503-325-1400
Department of Human Resources 503-325-4811
Northwest Oregon Housing Authority 503-861-0119
State of Oregon Employment Office 503-325-4821
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AVAILABLE!
We offer fitness and
aquatics classes, lap
swim, swim lessons,
childcare, and more!
Visit
sunsetempire.com
for more information.
Monday-Friday 9am-6pm
Saturday 10-2
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OPPORTUNITY
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all Astoria students. The school district
may be looking for future parent volun-
teers to coach or assist the teams. For
more information, call 503-325-6441.
Meanwhile, Seaside still has the
Pacific Basketball League, which stages
tournaments, camps and games for boys
and girls throughout the year.
Winter 2021-22 is the league’s 29th
season, according to the league’s web-
site, seasidebasketballtournaments.com,
where more information can be found on
the league’s year-round tournaments and
summer camps.
The “popularity of the beach and
quality of the tournaments draw teams
from all over the N orthwest including
Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California
and Canada,” the website states.
The youth league has led to major
success at the high school level, where
the Seaside boys played in four straight
state championship games from 2016 to
2019.
For more information on the Pacific
Basketball League, call 503-717-4308
or email kkjanuik@gmail.com.
503-738-3311