First String

10/16/2026

Register today for the First String basketball season at Douglass Gym! Go to: champaignparks.org >> Youth Leagues

10/12/2026

A slam dunk shoutout to Flyin’ Illini Hall of Famer and former NBA player Kenny Battle! 🏀🎉

He celebrated a birthday over the weekend, and we’re excited to welcome him to the Martens Center for our Basketball Clinic on November 13–14!

Get your athletes registered and ready to learn from one of the best! Go to champaignparks.org >> Youth Athletics

09/30/2026

Thank you for your support and encouragement throughout our first ever 3x3 Basketball Series! We are grateful that your family chose to be part of this experience, and we hope your athlete enjoyed building skills, confidence, and connections on the court.

A special thank-you goes to Hope Elam-Huett, former professional women’s basketball player and hometown hero, for sharing her time, knowledge, and passion for the game with our participants.

Please take a few moments to complete our exit survey and let us know about your family’s experience. Your feedback helps us improve future programs. In the survey, please also let us know if you would like more information about future basketball training sessions.

Click here: https://forms.gle/Tmqe9X6Ec6zampUF7

We also invite you to join us for our upcoming basketball clinic with former NBA player Kenny Battle on November 13–14 at Martens Center, open to students in grades K–8. Registration is open now at champaignparks.org >> Registration >> Youth Athletics >> Youth Basketball Clinics

Registration is also open for the upcoming First String basketball season at Douglass Center for students in grades K–6. Go to champaignparks.org >> Registration >> Youth Athletics >> Youth Basketball Leagues

Thank you again for being part of First String. We look forward to seeing your family at a future program!

09/30/2026

Maleek Howard unveils his Eagle Scout service project at his alma mater! A buddy bench for students to find a friend and share a smile 😎

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Students at Robeson Elementary School in Champaign have a new place to meet new friends or hang out with some old ones at a new buddy bench. The bench is the Eagle Scout se…

09/30/2026

Triston and Treston Wesley have their Eagle Scout recognition ceremony coming this October!

Latest Eagle Scout project completed by Champaign twins to be unveiled at 5 p.m. Saturday.

09/25/2026

Congratulations to Coach Caleb Carr and Coach Vince Perri for leading their team to make Franklin STEAM Academy school history and win their FIRST EVER Regional Championship! Way to go, fellas!

09/15/2026

Become a certified basketball referee with First String! 🏀

Our Referee Clinic gives community members ages 16+ the chance to learn the rules of the game, court positioning, and how to make calls with confidence and authority, and starts TONIGHT AT 6:30 PM.

Led by Sheldon Turner and the Blow the Whistle Officiating team, this two-week clinic will be held at the Martens Center. Sessions meet Sept 15-17 and Sept 22-24, Tuesday–Thursday from 6:30- 8 PM, with the certification test held on the final day. Attendance for all clinic days is strongly recommended.

Whether you plan to officiate during First String’s January season or IHSA games, this is your opportunity to get trained and ready.
First String will cover your testing fee. Men and women are encouraged to join us! Call league commissioner Peter McFarland with any questions.

09/10/2026

FIRST WEEK OF 3X3 ‼️🏀🔥