**PINEVILLE, La. (KALB) -** The JCW Foundation is a nonprofit organization that aspires to create a positive environment and provide the necessary tools for the youth in the community to succeed on and off the court.
For the next six weeks, athletes ages 6-14 will take part in the Junior NBA Basketball league at Trinity Baptist Church in Pineville.
Kids have traveled from across Cenla to take part in the summer rec league, which seeks to help them grow as both athletes and individuals.
“I come out here from Natchitoches’” said 9 year old Kandon Westmoreland. “It’s a very fun league and I think it will help the people that never played basketball before.”
“It was fun and we had great times and they taught me how to shoot and do more on my team,” said 9 year old Mitendrse Christmas. “They played good. We need to work on some stuff about hustling the ball, shooting the ball and stealing the ball from them But we all play good.”
The Junior NBA Basketball League also allows the young athletes to make new friends, while learning teamwork.
“It’s fun because you get to shoot and play defense and pass the ball,” said 9 year old Cartavious Hammond.
“I have to work on my teammates and leadership,” said Christmas. “We work as a team, so if we don’t work as a team then we keep on messing up. I’m going to be able to teach and make them good players and be a part of the team, so all of our players can be a leader so we can lead one another.”
The goal of the league is to prepare the next generation of Cenla hooper’s for their future elementary and high school teams, but the real win of the day is just having fun.
“It’s fun because you get to shoot and play defense and pass the ball,” said 8 year old Willow Sylbe. “It’s a fun experience. I’m learning how to shoot the basketball better and I’m learning how to play offense and defense. It’s fun.”
“It’s exciting because the coaches teach me everything I need to know so we can go home and practice,” said Christmas. “Next game we can be ready so we can have fun.”
“It was a fun experience,” said Westmoreland. “I learned a 2-1-2 zone and we got to shoot, we got to play and we won. Being at practice with everybody and making jokes will be fun.”
Shining bright and lighting the way, these are your rising stars from the Junior NBA Basketball League.
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