Blair Sports Academy begins fall activities

The Blair Sports Academy held a series scrimmages yesterday for the academy's new basketball tournament. The BSA is supporting basketball for the first time this year in the fall along with the traditional ping pong and board games.

According to Recreation Supervisor Stephanie White and Recreation Specialist Jose Segura, there are currently 400 students signed up with the sports academy and approximately 100 to 150 students showed up for the basketball scrimmages. Official league games will take place today on Sept. 19.

Basketball games will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the gym. Ping pong and board games are held in the SAC on Thursdays from 3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Participating students with GPAs less than 2.0 must attend academic support after school from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. or during period 5 classes in room 177.

"They all want to be here," Segura said during the scrimmages. "It's 150 kids having a good time at school instead of out somewhere else."

"The academy keeps kids healthy and in a safe environment," said White, "We provide fun. Anybody's welcome to come and sign up."

"It's something for the kids to do," said senior Joshua Brown, a Blair All-Stars player, "The tournament's a good substitute for people who aren't going to be on the team. I'm taking it seriously."

"I get to play ball seriously and check out the competition," said another Blair All-Stars player Jonathan Brown.

There are 12 teams participating in the basketball tournament including the Deuces, the Blair All-Stars, the 76'ers, Fresh Off the Boat (FOB) and the Ducks.