Second-place winners in the fourth- and fifth-grade division were the Timberwolves. Pictured from left are, front row: Joe Miller, Kyle Trousdale, Andrew Graham and Matthew Fluegge. Back row: Tim Dowdy, assistant coach, Brian Davidson, Derek Holt, Arrow Shockey and Jan Holt, coach.
First-place winners in the sixth- and seventh-grade division were the Warriors. Pictured from left are, front row: Kyle Mitchell, Sam Sanders, Sam Birk, Kevin Waller and Josh Wilke. Middle row: Kyle Pridemore, Ricky Garcia, Zach Kennedy and Josh Mayers. Back row: Patrick Kennedy, assistant coach, and Rose Schaffer, coach.
Second-place winners in the sixth- and seventh-grade division were the Trailblazers. Pictured from left are, front row: Andrew Teile, Matt Leadbetter, Brad Alberson, Andrew Buttry and Scott Quade. Middle row: Brandon Sitze, Dustin Heagst, Dru McNeely and Drew Lowes. Back row: Doug McNeely, coach, and Roger Thompson, assistant coach.
First-place winners in the third-grade division were the Nets. Pictured from left are, front row: Eric Fields, Kyle Keith, Matt Crader and William Ball. Back row: John Keith, coach, Austin McCraven, Brandon Wright, Devon Trowbridge and Val Crader, assistant coach.
Second-place winners in the third-grade division were the Knicks. Pictured from left are, front row: Austin Mueller, Evan Tillman, Alex Beussink and Austin Sutterer. Middle row: Trevor Mabuce, Lucas Davis, Trent Weaver and John Cargle. Back row: Doug Mueller, assistant coach, and John Beussink, coach.
The Jackson Optimist Club's community service project for 2001 was installing a new digital electronic scoreboard, which cost $3,000. Club members thanked the school district maintenance staff for installation and electric wiring work at South Elementary School. The scoreboard was donated in memory of past president Billy Joe Thompson Sr., a 50-year member of the Jackson club and a big supporter of the basketball program.
Optimist Club members came out for the games. From left are: Al Franke, Charlie Camp and Lester Maevers.
The 2001 season of the Jackson Boys Basketball League, sponsored by the Jackson Optimist Club for more than 45 years, has ended. More than 240 boys in grades three through seven participated in the program.
Teams were selected in October, with weekly practices starting in November at South Elementary and West Lane Elementary school gymnasiums. A five-week season was scheduled in January and February, with the tournament for all divisions on Feb. 17 and 18.
The finals for all divisions were played in the Jackson High School gymnasium. Trophies were presented to the first- and second-place winners in each division.
The president of the Jackson Optimist Club is Billy Joe Thompson Jr. The basketball committee members are Louis Rohlfs, co-chairman; Don Sievers, co-chairman; and Loyd Birk and Bill Hess, club members.
The season was very successful. Many hours of quality time were spent with the future leaders of tomorrow: the youth of today.
The Optimist basketball program has an overall cost of $10,000.
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