Basketball Fun In The Sun — Rising Stars Compete In Outdoor Summer League

By Andy Hutchison

Developing basketball players have laced up their sneakers and competed in outdoor basketball games in the annual Rising Stars Summer League basketball program throughout the summer. Six teams totaling 90-or-so girls and boys, mainly entering into grades six through nine, have participated in weeknight games at Treadwell and Dickinson parks throughout July and August.

The season — weather permitting — culminates with playoffs, and championship and all-star games as the calendar turns from August to September.

John Quinn, director of the summer league, notes that this is the 15th year of outdoor basketball fun for dribbling and three-point shooting enthusiasts. “It’s boys and girls playing competitive, fun summer league basketball,” said Quinn, adding that the objective is for players to have fun but that they are competitive.

Quinn, also Newtown High School’s boys’ coach, gets help from volunteer parents, as well as his players and former NHS players who coach, officiate, and keep score. Quinn adds that having so many children playing basketball year-round is beneficial to the high school’s programs since the up-and-coming athletes — some of whom stand to be playing for Quinn and girls’ coach Jeremy O’Connell — are getting plenty of exposure to the game.