City of Industry : Youth Basketball Program

Applications to join the Youth Athletic League’s new basketball program for youngsters from the Bassett, Valinda and La Puente areas will be taken through Feb. 18, officials said.

The free program, sponsored by the Industry Sheriff’s Station, is designed to counter gang influence on area children by organizing them into sports teams, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Greg Stokes, program coordinator.

“We put them all together under one flag, the Youth Athletic League,” he said.

More than 500 children, between the ages of 8 and 18, have signed up. Organizers want 630 youngsters to participate.

Teams will be formed from three area parks: Bassett, Martin and Rimgrove. Games will be held at Bassett Park in Valinda.

Stokes said applications are available at Bassett Park, 510 N. Vineland Ave.

Adults who want to volunteer as coaches or participate in the program in other ways can call Stokes at (818) 855-1258.