"This year, the LAUSD launched a basketball program that mirrors the high school experience with coaches and practices for middle schools that want to participate. It ended on Monday with championship games at one of Intuit Dome's indoor courts, with Woodland Hills-based Hale Middle School defeating Stephen M. White of Carson 27-22 in the boys' final. Portola of Tarzana won the girls' final 34-24 over El Sereno Magnet Charter."
"LAUSD sports coordinator Trent Cornelius is hopeful the model can be expanded to soccer in the spring, focusing on skill development, structured training and stronger alignment with high school athletics. It offers students who can't afford to play club basketball a free opportunity to compete for their local middle school, where transferring is far less an issue than in high school. Cornelius said the challenge will be finding additional coaches at the middle school level."
Los Angeles Unified School District partnered with Beyond the Bell to launch a middle-school basketball program that mirrors the high school experience with paid coaches and practices, concluding with championships held at an Intuit Dome indoor court. Hale Middle School won the boys' final and Portola won the girls' final. Leagues began in the fall, with games on Saturdays and 32 teams advancing through regional play to playoffs. LAUSD sports coordinator Trent Cornelius hopes to expand the model to soccer, focusing on skill development, structured training and stronger alignment with high school athletics. The program provides a free opportunity for students who cannot afford club basketball, while finding additional middle-school coaches remains a challenge.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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