BARBARA WALKIN

FN Night Editor

barbara@nasguard.com

Midnight basketball?

Playing basketball at midnight?

What kind of program is that, where will it be played ... are these people serious?

Those are the questions that came to mind when the initiative was first announced, but coordinator Marco Cooper explained the intent behind this new program that will be played at the YMCA on the weekends.

Many may remember Cooper as one of the star high school players on the court for the Sunland Baptist Academy Stingers, under the tutelage of Coach Bonnie Basden.

Since graduating high school, Cooper has completed his college education at Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas and is now awaiting word of a contract in the European League.

But, he noted, while waiting he wants to give back to the community and he thought that organizing the Midnight Basketball program would be a "unique" way to reach the young and mature basketball lovers on the weekend.

"So instead of going to Port Lucaya or the clubs and getting into mischief, the young boys can come to the gym and play ball to exert some of that pent up energy," said Cooper. "I have nothing against those things, but I think it would be more constructive for young people, especially the young boys to come to the gym and play some ball."

He noted that shooting hoops would not be the only thing offered during the Midnight Basketball program.

"While the player will participate in five-on-five competition, we will also have sessions where they will hear from coaches sharing their tips - the fundamentals of the game, behaviour on and off the court and basic core values."

Cooper noted that it will not be just about basketball.

He quickly noted that the term midnight does not mean that the sessions will be played at midnight.

"The gym will be opened from 9:00 p.m. to 12 midnight on Fridays and Saturdays," he said. "Then on Sundays from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m."

Cooper said that the program is scheduled to begin September 7 and players will be charged a small fee of $3 just to assist with the use of the amenities at the gym.

Cooper is excited about the program and he encourages young people to come, check out the program and "let's get something positive going."