AJ Sports

May 20, 2009

Coach Kettel’s Instructional Summer League returns

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter / Photographer

FACTORYVILLE - To insure that his possible stars of tomorrow don’t get rusty during this off-season, Andrew Kettel, Lackawanna Trail High School boys basketball head coach, will again present “Coach Kettel’s Instructional Summer League.”

The league, which runs from July 14 to August 13 at the Christy Mathewson Little League field, is a rare opportunity for boys going into grades six to eight a chance to play in league games on Tuesdays and Thursdays for five weeks and then participate in a weekly clinic every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with visiting coaches from other schools.

“We’re the only league of our kind in the area,” said Kettel. “I’ve found from doing summer camps that kids do enjoy going to camps, but they really just want to get out there and play, and I wanted to keep them interested and give them a chance to play league games two days a week and then offer them a clinic every week to go over the fundamentals.”

Players are divided up into teams depending on grade. Kettel is bringing the league back after the positive feedback he received last year during the camp’s first run.

The league not only gives players a chance to keep their skills sharp, it also offers an opportunity for them to extend their team’s season.

Schools are given the opportunity to sign up their entire team and bring their coach to help prepare for the upcoming season. Several teams signed up last season, including Abington Heights, Tunkhannock and Mountain View high schools, and all are scheduled to return this year.

The league is not restricted to teams. Individual players who sign up will also have a spot and be assigned to teams.

Another aspect that makes the camp unique is that although the games are outdoors, there is an assurance that no game will be cancelled. In the event of rain, games will be moved to the Lackawanna Trail Jr./Sr. High School; changes of location will be posted on Kettel’s Web site, www.coachkettel.com.

Kettel said they will be accepting players up until the first day of league play, but suggested that any team looking to sign up as a group do so before July 1.

The league cost is $50 for five weeks. Anyone interested in attending the Saturday clinics can do so by showing up at the courts any of the scheduled mornings. Cost is $20 per clinic.

For details or to sign up, visit www.coachkettel.com or e-mail andrew@coachkettel.com.

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