The city of Horn Lake, and the Memphis Grizzlies have teamed up to form the Junior Grizzlies that will provide a recreational league basketball program this fall.
Horn Lake is the first city in DeSoto County to merge with the Grizzlies to form the league. The Horn Lake parks and recreation is in its fourth year of having a youth basketball league, but now has partnered up with the NBA franchise.
Over 600 players including cheerleaders ages five through 18 years old are expected to sign up to play. In 2006, there were about 100 players playing recreational basketball in Horn Lake. Last year, the league increased in numbers by 300 players.
Brenden Reagan, account executive for group sales with the Memphis Grizzlies, got in contact with Horn Lake parks and recreation athletic director John Willoughby and parks director Tommy Bledsoe earlier this summer. They discussed the formation of a new league that included the Grizzlies.
The Desoto County schools have worked with the league to provide after school access of facilities for games. Horn Lake High School principal Jim Ferguson says his school is happy to be involved with the league.
“We certainly want to do whatever we can to help young people here in the community,”
Ferguson said. “The league will provide a positive influence for kids, but it will also provide exercise, and teach healthy lifestyle habits.”
The Grizzlies will provide uniforms to each player that will include reversible jerseys in yellow, navy blue and baby blue. The total cost to join the Junior Grizzlies will be $20 for each player and cheerleader. The team will also sponsor a Junior Grizzlies night during the season that will allow all participants in the league to attend a game free of charge. A coaches’ clinic will be held during the season, and team mascots and dancers will also be on hand at the Junior Grizzlies league games periodically throughout the season.
Horn Lake mayor Nat Baker believes the league will continue to grow with the dedication of the schools, parks and recreation, and the Grizzlies.
“Our educators and aldermans’ commitment have allowed us to move forward and make this work,”
Baker said. “The league will allow our young people to learn how to play together with an emphasis on team spirit. It’s exciting to be associated with the NBA now.”
