AUBURN - For 19 years, the CCYO basketball program has been an important part of youth sports throughout Cayuga County.
The program began as an option to those who didn't attend Catholic churches and were not eligible for CYO basketball.
"There were things at the Y or the Booker T. Washington Center," CCYO commissioner and president Charlie Cator said. "But there were no structured leagues in Auburn for kids who didn't go to Catholic school. So some of us got together and formed a league."
From that simple idea, the league has grown to include over 115 teams from Auburn, Skaneateles, Southern Cayuga, Weedsport and the rest of the county.
"It's gotten bigger since we first formed," Cator said. "It has gotten to the point, unfortunately where we've even had to turn away teams because we haven't had enough practice time or coaches, everything is on a volunteer basis, but we try not to lose anyone."
The league's make up of teams from all over the county is an important part of the program.
"It is county wide," coach Tim Smith said. "There are a lot of good players and good teams. There is more competition and that makes better players and better teams."
His son, 12-year-old Tim Smith, has been in CCYO since second grade. He said the travel is one his favorite parts.
"You get to travel to a lot of different places instead of just staying in one place," Tim said. "You get to learn about different places and play different teams and that has made me a stronger player."
Look at almost any team in the league and find there are many fathers, sons and daughters playing and coaching.
"It is a family atmosphere," said Tammy Brewer, who has had all her children go through CCYO. "Everyone is so nice and it is all about the kids, which is wonderful, it is never an issue. If one of the kids sees another with one of the shirts on they all high-five and wish each other good luck. There is no stress which is wonderful."
Her 8 year old daughter Kaitlyn is in her second year and said the support she receives from friends, coaches and other parents has helped her.
"When everybody is cheering it is exciting," Kaitlyn said. "Everyone helps me a lot. They help learn how to do plays and shoot baskets. You get to meet other people and it is just about having fun."
The CCYO program is for children at early ages.
Beginning with a combined second and third-grade league, the program focuses mainly on the game's fundamentals.
"It is instructional," Cator said. "We don't keep score. We try to keep the whole program less competitive and more fun. That is stressed early on, it is more about fun."
Both players and parents agree.
"All four of my kids have played," said Margaret Corey. "I really like that they get a chance to play and learn a lot. They learn to play as a team. It is definitely a good time and a very friendly league."
Her 9 year old daughter Lindsay said she was following in her big brothers' footsteps when she started playing three years ago. This season, Lindsay scored her first basket.
"My coaches and my brothers help me a lot," Lindsay said. "At home I play with a little hoop. They teach me things that I didn't know yet. I've gotten better at shooting and dribbling. I like to shoot. It is really exciting. When I scored my first basket everybody was clapping and told me good job. It was exciting."
From the second and third grade, the program focuses in on game situations where each grade level competes against other teams of the same age.
"It is the nice thing about the league," Cator said. "They play against each other for eight or nine years and friendships and competitiveness grow and develop."
Cator said he has seen some children return for years.
"Once a player signs up they are usually there through the entire program right through eighth grade," Cator said. "We rarely lose anyone or find they are not interested."
Ryan Wilbur, 12, is a long-time player.
"I've been playing with the same guys for years," Wilbur said. "Most of us are friends and that makes it a lot easier on the court when you don't feel nervous around the other guys."
To offer the best possible instruction, CCYO has expanded into offering training seminars hosted by Auburn High varsity coach Al Giannone.
Giannone said he got involved when his son, Vincent and daughter Annie began playing. He was so impressed with the program that he has stayed around to assist, not just for his children's teams, but for everyone.
"It is a great program," Giannone said. "The thing we do is just enhancing players basketball life. Building runners, a good work ethic. All these things work on other sports and there is a benefit of the time involved as they get more accomplished you see the benefit the more years you are involved."
Giannone said this season there were five varsity players who played CCYO.
"The more involved kids are the better," Giannone said. "They are really outstanding."
For many of the players, high school varsity is a goal. Many said in the meantime, CCYO helps them improve for the modified season.
"Modified skill work has made me work harder," Dawson Cogar, 13, said. "I am dedicated and I push myself."
The season ends with championships at Cayuga Community College March 12.
"Everyone is really serious and motivated about getting down to the gym and practicing," Cogar said. "Everyone takes it seriously and pushes themselves. We've always lost the first game, hopefully this year we win and move on."
"There were things at the Y or the Booker T. Washington Center," CCYO commissioner and president Charlie Cator said. "But there were no structured leagues in Auburn for kids who didn't go to Catholic school. So some of us got together and formed a league."
From that simple idea, the league has grown to include over 115 teams from Auburn, Skaneateles, Southern Cayuga, Weedsport and the rest of the county.
"It's gotten bigger since we first formed," Cator said. "It has gotten to the point, unfortunately where we've even had to turn away teams because we haven't had enough practice time or coaches, everything is on a volunteer basis, but we try not to lose anyone."
The league's make up of teams from all over the county is an important part of the program.
"It is county wide," coach Tim Smith said. "There are a lot of good players and good teams. There is more competition and that makes better players and better teams."
His son, 12-year-old Tim Smith, has been in CCYO since second grade. He said the travel is one his favorite parts.
"You get to travel to a lot of different places instead of just staying in one place," Tim said. "You get to learn about different places and play different teams and that has made me a stronger player."
Look at almost any team in the league and find there are many fathers, sons and daughters playing and coaching.
"It is a family atmosphere," said Tammy Brewer, who has had all her children go through CCYO. "Everyone is so nice and it is all about the kids, which is wonderful, it is never an issue. If one of the kids sees another with one of the shirts on they all high-five and wish each other good luck. There is no stress which is wonderful."
Her 8 year old daughter Kaitlyn is in her second year and said the support she receives from friends, coaches and other parents has helped her.
"When everybody is cheering it is exciting," Kaitlyn said. "Everyone helps me a lot. They help learn how to do plays and shoot baskets. You get to meet other people and it is just about having fun."
The CCYO program is for children at early ages.
Beginning with a combined second and third-grade league, the program focuses mainly on the game's fundamentals.
"It is instructional," Cator said. "We don't keep score. We try to keep the whole program less competitive and more fun. That is stressed early on, it is more about fun."
Both players and parents agree.
"All four of my kids have played," said Margaret Corey. "I really like that they get a chance to play and learn a lot. They learn to play as a team. It is definitely a good time and a very friendly league."
Her 9 year old daughter Lindsay said she was following in her big brothers' footsteps when she started playing three years ago. This season, Lindsay scored her first basket.
"My coaches and my brothers help me a lot," Lindsay said. "At home I play with a little hoop. They teach me things that I didn't know yet. I've gotten better at shooting and dribbling. I like to shoot. It is really exciting. When I scored my first basket everybody was clapping and told me good job. It was exciting."
From the second and third grade, the program focuses in on game situations where each grade level competes against other teams of the same age.
"It is the nice thing about the league," Cator said. "They play against each other for eight or nine years and friendships and competitiveness grow and develop."
Cator said he has seen some children return for years.
"Once a player signs up they are usually there through the entire program right through eighth grade," Cator said. "We rarely lose anyone or find they are not interested."
Ryan Wilbur, 12, is a long-time player.
"I've been playing with the same guys for years," Wilbur said. "Most of us are friends and that makes it a lot easier on the court when you don't feel nervous around the other guys."
To offer the best possible instruction, CCYO has expanded into offering training seminars hosted by Auburn High varsity coach Al Giannone.
Giannone said he got involved when his son, Vincent and daughter Annie began playing. He was so impressed with the program that he has stayed around to assist, not just for his children's teams, but for everyone.
"It is a great program," Giannone said. "The thing we do is just enhancing players basketball life. Building runners, a good work ethic. All these things work on other sports and there is a benefit of the time involved as they get more accomplished you see the benefit the more years you are involved."
Giannone said this season there were five varsity players who played CCYO.
"The more involved kids are the better," Giannone said. "They are really outstanding."
For many of the players, high school varsity is a goal. Many said in the meantime, CCYO helps them improve for the modified season.
"Modified skill work has made me work harder," Dawson Cogar, 13, said. "I am dedicated and I push myself."
The season ends with championships at Cayuga Community College March 12.
"Everyone is really serious and motivated about getting down to the gym and practicing," Cogar said. "Everyone takes it seriously and pushes themselves. We've always lost the first game, hopefully this year we win and move on."