KONOCTI SCHOOL DISTRICT >> With the addition of preschoolers, first- and second-graders and some financial assistance, the Konocti Basketball League (KBL) is managing growing pains well as it prepares for the first games of the season in January.
This year, 420 preschool through eighth-grade students divided into 45 teams and coached by more than 90 community members will be taking the court. KBL President Andrea Aleman can hardly believe its size or the significance the league continues to hold in the community that”s watched it grow over the last 30 years.
“KBL is huge here; it”s the social event of the year,” Aleman explains. “People who don”t even have kids playing can”t wait for the games. Go to a KBL game and you”re looking at an easy 1,500 people coming in and out on during a weekend. It”s insane.”
The KBL has grown into an impressive organization over the years; the league has hosted all-star tournaments for leagues from inside and all around Lake County for more than 20 years; middle and high school students earn their community service hours required for graduation by assisting coaches. So many community members volunteer to help, Aleman said the league has to try to find ways to use the extra help in some years.
“We get phone calls in August asking when the applications will be sent out and we”re trying to get them out earlier and earlier every year,” Aleman said.
“There”s something magical that the league does to the community; the best way to explain what KBL is all about is to just experience it,” she added.
With a strong emphasis on the recreational aspects of the game, every child gets to play half of their team”s game. Aleman notes there”s plenty of time for competition later in life. The league instead focuses on creating a bully-free, safe and enriching space that provides structure, exercise and lessons in teamwork for the students.
Especially in Clearlake where poverty is rampant, the league is bringing hope and stronger community to children of disadvantaged households.
“It”s something more than the poverty and economic stress that the kids are surrounded by,” assistant coach Sarah Fred said. “It allows them to let go of all that and be part of a team.”
For the second year, the Redbud Health Care District has provided financial assistance to the league for equipment and to sponsor children who otherwise couldn”t afford the $50 registration fee.
“We”re supportive of KBL as it supplements and augments the physical education program at Konocti Unified School District and it benefits the students and community in an effort to curb childhood obesity,” Redbud Health Care District General Manager Conrad Colbrandt said. “The district”s board of directors believes strongly that this program is an asset to our community and our youth.”
For the first time, the league is also offering the benefits of being a team player to younger children with a mini-league of preschoolers through second-graders.
“During those ages, I think it”s important to start implementing a sense of belonging and teamwork and help the kids acquire healthy habits earlier in life,” Aleman said.
The combination of the sponsorships and mini-league have resulted in an extra 100 students participating in the KBL.
With last season”s 35 teams playing Saturday games, the school district”s old gym was already booked from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The addition of 10 teams this year is requiring the league to look for other venues for games and in December, will request use of the school district”s new gymnasium that was completed in the 2008-09 school year.
“Quite a few kids said I don”t know where I would be if it wasn”t for KBL and somebody giving me a chance,” Aleman said. “For kids living in an impoverished community, sometimes that”s all they need is a chance and someone believing in them they can do it.”
