NWI Basketball League still willing to expand
Cass Stone
Times News Correspondent
GARY | The Northwest Indiana Basketball League is expanding as it enters its third season.
The league has grown from 27 to 38 teams since last year. According to league director, Toi Baylor, there's still room for more.
Currently, the league consists of teams from across Northwest Indiana, Chicago, and the Chicagoland area, and even as far away as Indianapolis.
"I believe that it is growing because of the level of competition and the diversity of its players," Baylor said. "And it's the only official AAU league in the area."
The league spawned out of Baylor's Baylor Youth Foundation, which sponsors an AAU travel team and a number of tournaments in Northwest Indiana.
Home games are held at Gary's Tolleston Middle School. Teams play a 10-game schedule, which culminates in a double-elimination championship tournament.
"I'm looking for all levels," said Baylor on what she hopes to add to the league. "I don't want people to stay away because the competition is so fierce. I want anybody looking to get into AAU basketball to come to us."
Baylor's ultimate goal for the league is see it elevate the quality of basketball being played across Northwest Indiana. In her mind, E.C. Central's 2007 state championship win should not have been the first title the Region has seen in over a decade. It is her plan to help make the Region a state and national basketball powerhouse.
"What I'm trying to do is create basketball in the Region all year-round," she said. "In Indianapolis, for example, they play basketball all year-round. If they can have that, so can our kids.
"I just want Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland to know that there is something they can be a part of if they want their kids to get exposure to Division I, II and III two schools ... and maybe be offered a scholarship."
NWI Indiana AAU Basketball League
* The league is accepting teams in the 9-and-under through 18-and-under age divisions. Entry deadline is Oct. 11.
For more information go to www.bayloryouth.org
1/28/2009 12:00:00 AM
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