Get Active with Park City's Junior Jazz

Every year, kids all over Park City are excited to lace up their sneakers, grab a ball, and go play for the Basin Recreation's Junior Jazz team. Anyone who wants to join, can (as long as they're in 8th grade or younger). There are two different divisions, one for girls, and another boys. Boys' Junior Jazz has four teams, the Girls' has two, but the teams for the oldest students are the Boys' 7th and 8th grades, and the Girls' 6th through 8th grades.

"Play hard and play fair. Get geared up and ready to enjoy another year of basketball. Junior Jazz is about developing skills, having fun and learning good sportsmanship. This year take the time to do all three." (Taken from the Youth Basketball page on the Basin Recreation website).

It costs $70 to register for either team before the deadline (which was December 4th). The day after the deadline it was an extra ten dollars, and any time after that and before January 4th the price is $80. This fee covers each member's own Junior Jazz jersey, as well as a ticket to a Utah Jazz game. This year's tickets were for a Utah Jazz vs Minnesota Timberwolves game, Jan. 29th.

The Junior Jazz teams have very busy winter schedules. The winter session starts January 4th, and ends March 4th. Most teams have one game and one practice every week, at either the Ecker Hill Middle School or Treasure Mountain Junior High indoor gyms. On January 28th the teams got to meet a Utah Jazz Player, and the next day went to the Jazz game at the Energy Solutions Arena. Neither team play or practice on Martin Luther King's Day, or President's Week (February 15th-19th). At the end of the season, awards are given to boys, grades 3rd to 6th, and girls 3rd to 8th.

"I started (Junior Jazz) in 2011 because I love basketball," says Summer Jackson, a 7th grade player for the Storm team (Girls' 6th to 8th). "My experience has been awesome. I love the teams and the sport. Some of my favorite things are just playing, and the competition."

When asked what advice she had for those starting out in Junior Jazz, she said,

"Just try your best and try hard. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."