Youth hoops league aims to start May 1

Registration open for HI Definition outdoor league for grades 6-12

Having a safe, active and fun outlet for Valley Isle youth is “extremely important,” says veteran basketball coach Joe Blackburn, especially during a time when there’s more screen time and less organized team sports amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an effort to provide more opportunities for kids to play and interact with one another, Blackburn is coordinating the HI Definition Maui Basketball League, an outdoor club league that is set to start May 1 and run through June.

“Basically, the kids don’t see each other and so this is a way for them to actually have a peer group. There’s no peer groups right now,” Blackburn said via phone Monday.

The combination of online distance learning and not being able to play organized sports for some time has been physically and mentally tough for youth statewide.

“Here, we get back to the team concept, the interaction, and going out and getting the right thought processes going, and that’s what sports brings,” Blackburn said. “What’s more important? You or the team? Well, the team. And you don’t get that through online learning, you only get that through sports.”

The HI Definition Maui Basketball League, which will be conducted under nonprofit club Central Maui Sports Ohana, will include four divisions: girls and boys in grades 6-7; boys in grades 8-9; boys in grades 10-12; and high school girls.

Depending on interest, the goal is to have eight teams per division.

The fee is $300 per team to sign up for the outdoor league through Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), which provides the insurance.

Blackburn, who is working with Jeremy Lizada and Stephanie Castro to coordinate the league, said that so far around 20 teams have “shown an interest,” but as of Monday none had officially signed up.

For individual athletes who want to play, they can contact Blackburn to practice and participate through the Central Maui Sports Ohana.

The two younger divisions will play at Lihikai Park courts in Kahului on Saturdays while the high school divisions will compete at the Kahului Elementary School courts mostly on Sundays and some Fridays, Blackburn said.

Per county rules, there will be one game a week per team. Depending on how many teams sign up, there will be a single- or double-elimination tournament at the end of the season.

“The kids have had nothing the whole year, but especially high school kids,” he said. “It’s something, you know, and hopefully by the time the league is done, things will start opening up again.”

All coaches, players and parents must follow the HI Definition Maui Basketball League’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, which follows the Return to Youth Sports Guidelines developed by the state. These guidelines are available to view on the state Department of Health website.

Players must wear a mask at all times and be at least six feet apart when not actively playing.

All spectators must abide by the same social distancing rules and should wear face masks that cover both their nose and mouth. Spectators will also need to bring their own chairs and will not be allowed to sit with the team or on the bleachers.

For more information, email mauibasketball@gmail.com or call Blackburn at (808) 8702123.

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