GREENVILLE – The YMCA of Darke County competed a seven-week youth basketball program for local boys and girls.

“We put together a youth basketball program to teach the fundamentals and at the same time allowing them to further their knowledge of basketball,” YMCA Sports Director Daniel Tinch said.

The seven-week program is open to all Darke County children. YMCA membership is not required although as Tinch explained.

“We do a member and a non-member rate,” he said. “Our member rate is a bonus for being a member and is a little bit less.

“Seven weeks from the beginning to end; the kids improved a lot. You could tell huge difference as far as their dribbling ability, passing ability and overall defense. Everything seemed to increase and improve.”

The YMCA breaks the basketball program into three age groups, preschool, kindergarten through second grade and combined third and fourth grade.

“We included both girls and boys this year,” Tinch said. “It helped improve our numbers.”

Tinch was assisted by volunteer and former Greenville standout varsity basketball player Jerry Bunch, Jr.

“Jerry helps me every week,” Tinch said. “He’s been coming to the kindergarten through second grade and helping out as well with the third and fourth graders, which makes it a lot easier.”

As the seven-week program came to a close, each child went home with a new understanding of teamwork, new and improved skills as well as a new T-shirt for the younger children and a brand new basketball for each of the older group participants.