By: Ron Ige 

The league tips off at 10 a.m. at Astumbo gym in Dededo, where league play begins for the younger divisions, including the under-8, under-10 and under-12.

The under-14 through under-18 divisions will begin the following week at Guam sports complex gym, George Washington High School gym and the University of Guam field house.

Before each game, players will recite a pledge stating they will be drug-free, encourage others to do the same and respect others and themselves.

Teams from participating clubs are: ASC Islanders, Agana Heights Central Dragons, Agat Lakers, Asan Rai, Barrigada Crusaders, Central Mavericks, FDAA Phoenix, Suns Basketball Club, YellowJackets Basketball Club and Yigo Basketball Club as well as the Raiders, Warriors, MVP Stars, Lady Sparks and the Rebels.

"We host these basketball leagues to engrain fitness and teamwork as well as the importance of being drug-free, alcohol-free and violence-free in our youth at an early age," said tournament director Pascual Artero, who is also a Guam Youth Basketball Association board member as well as a program coordinator for the Department of Youth Affairs. "Hopefully, this league will encourage children to stay active and drug-free."

"The league is also a platform to create a talent identification program that will be a feeder to our Guam junior and senior national teams." said Tony Thompson, GBC general secretary. "The annual Shell Guam Drug-Free Youth Basketball League provides an organized and exciting format for our youth to stay active and consistently play the game of basketball."

Other sponsors believing in the League are DYA, Department of Parks and Recreation, Dededo Municipal Planning Council, Barrigada Municipal Planning Council and the Pacific Daily News.

Information was provided in a press release.