Registration continues for McMinnville Youth Basketball as officials are still planning to tip-off the season in February.

“We’re moving forward like we’re going to have a season and planning to have a season,” said Parks and Recreation representative Terry Beard. 

Beard said the registration deadline has been extended to Jan. 2 and the age groups have been expanded to include boys and girls ages 5-7.

“They’re not going to be having a Little Pioneer League this year so we are taking registration for those kids too,” said Beard.

Parks and Recreation officials have faced roadblocks in getting youth basketball off the ground this year. The biggest issue is there’s not a place to play.

Milner Recreation Center has received a number of construction delays and the facility is not expected to be complete until Jan. 15. After completion, it’s expected to take a couple more weeks for Parks and Recreation to move in to the facility.

The basketball league has previously used Bobby Ray Elementary and Hickory Creek Elementary for practices and games. However, due to the soaring COVID pandemic, school officials don’t want the general public coming in and out of those gyms.

“Milner Recreation Center is the only place where we can play and practice,” said Beard.

“We don’t know what might happen,” Beard continued, “but we’re going to do our part and plan to have a season. Registration has gone pretty slow, but I think all the leagues have enough players to make, except maybe the girls 14-19 league.”

To register online, do a Google search for McMinnville Parks and Recreation, then click on the “Athletics” tab and select “Basketball.”