This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Family YMCA.

Simplified: The Sioux Falls Family YMCA has been bringing kids together to play basketball for nearly a century. This year, the Y's basketball program is bringing expanded partnerships, opportunities for younger kids and a schedule that's friendlier to busy families. Here's what you need to know.

Why it matters

  • The YMCA's basketball program is rooted in history, Program Engagement Manager Zach Morris said. The annual Tri-State Basketball Tournament is nearing its 97th year, and last year 2,100 kids participated in YMCA basketball programming.
  • Over the years, the sports landscape in the city has changed quite a bit, Morris added, and the YMCA's focus is on being the best option for families and the most affordable – including scholarship opportunities to ensure all kids have a chance to play.
  • New this year is an expanded partnership with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, that's going to allow kids on YMCA teams to get free tickets for Skyforce games. Kids can also begin playing at age 4, and games will be scheduled for Saturdays rather than weekdays.
"Youth need recreation," Morris said. "They need chances to move their bodies, chances to get the energy out. And put sports aside – just the social aspect that youth sports brings – that's where lifelong friendships are made."

Tell me more

The YMCA offers basketball programs for kids ages 4 through 18.

Y-Force Prep is a program for 4 and 5 year olds to get introduced to the sport and understand how the game works. These introductory programs are led by YMCA basketball staff.

Submitted photo

Y-Force's main league is for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade.

  • Grades K-2 play a 10-game season led by volunteer coaches, and the coach is on the court with the players guiding kids and teaching in-game.
  • Grades 3-6 can play in competitive or recreational divisions – also in a 10-game season. Coaches can sign up a roster of players, or individuals can get placed on a team.
  • Grades 7-8 have an eight-game season that runs opposite with their school basketball season, which lets them play both at school and in the YMCA league.

Hi-Y is the YMCA's high school basketball program. Teams are guaranteed a seven-game season, and can play as many as nine games, depending on how they do in the playoffs.

  • Hi-Y has both a fall and winter session, which means kids can play in both the YMCA league and their varsity high school team.

As part of the Sioux Falls Skyforce partnership, kids may also have an opportunity to play in the "prime time" before Skyforce games. Skyforce Owner and President Mike Heineman said he was inspired by an opportunity he had as a kid to play at halftime for a South Dakota State University game.

"It's just an amazing experience for those kids to get out and play on a professional court before professionals are playing," Heineman said. "It's something that stuck with me forever, and I just want other kids to have that same opportunity."

How do I get signed up?

Registration ends Sept. 16.

You can register a team or an individual on the YMCA website, and with any questions email basketball@siouxfallsymca.org or call (605)-977-4757.