New Basketball League Ready to Tip Off in Phoenixville

When Tai Crutchfield looked at the youth basketball landscape in Phoenixville, he saw something missing. 

As a professional basketball player, he had opportunties to travel all over the country and the world, competing against all sorts of players. He wanted to give the same opportunities to up-and-coming players in the Phoenixville area. 

"I had an idea of having the kids have a chance to compete on a higher level," Crutchfield said. 

He connected with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and launched a team for eight-grade boys in the Phoenixville area. Tryouts were held last weekend at the Phoenixville Civic Center, and Crutchfield said there was a great response. More than two dozen boys showed up, and he had the difficult task of narrowing the field to the 15-man roster. If there's enough interest, Crutchfield said a seventh-grade team may be started in the future. 

"We have a very talented team," Crutchfield said.

The team will compete in its first AAU tournament near the end of March, and practices for the new team will start next week. The home base for the team will likely be on the school district's courts, Crutchfield said. 

In an AAU league, the Phoenixville team will get to compete with players from all over the country, building skills and gaining experience against tough opponents, Crutchfield said. 

"It's just an opportunity that kids need to be exposed to," Crutchfield said. 

He added that he couldn't have gotten the league off the ground without the help of Lori Bailey. 

"I'm just basically the coach," Crutchfield said. "She has been very, very helpful. She devotes a lot to the kids."