Youth Basketball Slam Dunked For The Season
The youth basketball program in Madison has been canceled due to the current issues with COVID-19. More than 700 players will not see action on the hardwoods this season. File Photo
FRONT PAGE FEATURED, LIFESTYLES -- FEATURE SPOT, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools, Sports, Z - News Main
 By  Bob Labbe Published 
5:02 pm Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Youth Basketball Slam Dunked For The Season

MADISON- Youth basketball in Madison has fouled out.

The Madison Parks and Recreation Department in conjunction with Mayor Paul Finley’s office has decided to cancel the 2020-2021 season of youth basketball in Madison due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While we understand canceling programs such as basketball is yet one more negative in a string of a long year, our goal is to slow the curve of COVID-19, not add to it,” said Finley in a news release from the Madison Parks and Recreation Department.

The decision was a long, painstaking process over a two-month period as the annual youth basketball program in Madison utilizes not only the gymnasium at Dublin Memorial Park, but gymnasiums in several of the schools of Madison. City of Madison and Madison City Schools officials met with discussions of how to safely host the program, which is home to close to 700 players, both girls and boys. Last season there were 82 competitive teams in age divisions 7U-18U and an additional 10 developmental teams in ages 5 and 6.

Besides the players, the team coaches will also have to adhere to no youth basketball in Madison, which also carries over to the game management within the Recreation Dept. The seasonal hire of mostly young people for the basketball season included scorekeepers and clock operators along with the contracted referees. The recreation aides, who are employed by the Rec      . Dept., will be used for different projects during the winter.

The decision to dunk the youth basketball program came after weeks of gathering data. Once the decision was made, the Madison Recreation Department sent out an e-mail blast to coaches and players, as well as, posts on the City’s website, Facebook page and Instagram and Twitter accounts.

During the closure of the programs at Dublin Memorial Park, the gymnasium floor at the facility will undergo renovations which will include sanding, refinishing and repainting.

“Our 2021 season will hopefully be back with more energy and a fresh floor at Dublin Memorial Park,” added Finley.

Also on The Madison Record
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Kids to Love to go “Over the Edge” for children in foster care Sept. 19-20
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Bold, compassionate individuals will be going “Over the Edge” for Kids to Love during a thrilling two-day fundraiser where participants rapp...
The Madison Street Festival is less than a month away
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – The first Saturday in October. That’s the day Madison residents turn out to visit with friends and neighbors, promote school groups, shop fo...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *