Summer basketball leagues build skills

CEDAR RAPIDS - Basketball, like many sports, is a game that requires constant improvement.

Summer leagues provide the perfect opportunity for players to better their craft. The Eastern Iowa Summer League provides that opportunity for local college players.

'There is a reason why Iowa has the Prime Time League, why Des Moines has theirs for Iowa State players,” said Eastern Iowa Summer League director Jason Pershing. 'Every really good program has some organized setting where guys get a chance to really work on their stuff individually and put it into a game scenario.”

Games are held at Mount Mercy University, starting June 11, and are free and open to the public. Playoffs begin on July 9.

'There is a niche for those Division II, Division III caliber players who want to be able to compete at that high level,” Pershing said, 'like the Hawkeyes and UNI do in the Prime Time League.”

Players interested in joining the summer league can sign up now. Contact Pershing at jpershing31@gmail.com.

Teams are named after sponsors Nesper Sign, Symmetry Financial, Collins Community Credit Union, Chiro Care East, Scheetz Law, Jerseys Pub and Grub and Holmes Law Office.

'Players who participate in the league should take away the ability to work on their craft in a game setting,” Pershing said.