The youth basketball league uniting students from Livingston Manor Central School District and Roscoe Central School District has been growing in both size and community engagement. Designed for students in grades three through six, the program serves as a foundation for teamwork, skill-building, and fostering connections between the two school districts.

Nate Juron, an alumnus of Livingston Manor and now a coach, program leader, and RCS Teaching Assistant, said that the decision to merge the youth programs was a natural step given the already combined high school sports teams. “With the high school sports already merged, we wanted to give kids a head start in playing together,” Juron said. “It helps them build friendships and get used to working as a team from an early age.”

The merger has also significantly increased participation. Before combining efforts, the Livingston Manor program had about 30 players. Now, the league has grown to nearly 60 kids, providing greater opportunities for student-athletes. “Our numbers have shown a positive increase, and that’s a great thing,” Juron added.

Beyond basketball fundamentals, the program emphasizes essential life skills, including collaboration, sportsmanship, and perseverance. “We want kids to form friendships, learn teamwork, and develop social skills that will help them later in life,” Juron explained. The league accommodates players of varying skill levels, from beginners in third grade to more seasoned players in sixth grade, ensuring all participants receive the necessary guidance to develop their game.

Daniel Clancy, an RCS alumnus, who helps co-run the league with Juron, emphasized the importance of early integration. “It makes all the difference being able to grow the youth program in order to instill the love for basketball in the up-and-coming generations,” Clancy said. “Our youth basketball program provides students with an outlet to learn to love the game while also giving them the knowledge to play at the modified and JV levels.”

Clancy also said that merging the youth program early ensures a smoother transition when students reach higher levels of competition. “If we build the connections between the two schools early, when the students get to modified sports, they should be able to mesh and play as one.”

The program currently consists of three teams for grades three and four and four teams for grades five and six. Games are held on Saturday mornings, culminating in a championship event. “Seeing the kids smile, bond as a team—that’s what makes it worth it,” Juron said.

Both Clancy and Juron split the responsibilities of the league—Juron handles organization and scheduling, while Clancy focuses on skill development. Their teamwork reflects the values they seek to instill in their players. “I used to run this alone, and it was tough,” Juron admitted. “Having Dan on board has been a huge help.”

With the upcoming school merger, the youth basketball program has already paved the way for a seamless athletic transition. “There won’t be much of a difference in how we run things, except for a new name,” Juron said, referring to the yet-to-be-decided unified school name.

Looking ahead, Clancy hopes to expand the program even further, potentially adding separate boys’ and girls’ divisions to accommodate more students. “I hope we can increase the number of students that wish to participate in youth basketball and create more teams,” he said.

For many young athletes in Sullivan County, opportunities to engage in basketball are limited, making this program all the more vital. “Young students in this area don’t have a lot of chances to get familiar with basketball,” Clancy said. “We want to give them that opportunity.”

For more information on how to get involved, contact Daniel Clancy at danclancy672@gmail.com.