Cedar Reds basketball assists 4-H After-school Program while learning fundamentals in mentoring

Cedar High basketball team members teach basketball fundamentals to local 4-H students on January 18, 2023 in Cedar City, Utah | Photo courtesy of Becki Bronson, St. George News

CEDAR CITY — It was a bye week for the Cedar High School Reds boys basketball team when Head Coach Tyler Monks could have held additional practice. But just as crucial as more time on the court is the significance of being a good influence in the community.

Cedar High basketball team members teach shooting skills to local 4-H students on January 18, 2023 in Cedar City, Utah | Photo courtesy of Becki Bronson, St. George News

“Our boys have a great culture of competition and of togetherness,” said Monks. “There’s something to be said for the power that comes from helping others. Being unselfish and working together is what it’s all about. And, it’s what our team is all about.”

Monks and the Reds squad mentored children with the 4-H After-school Program at North Elementary, teaching fourth and fifth-graders the basics of basketball.

Elementary-sized red basketballs were given to each student as a gift as team members helped work with, encourage and cheer on each student as they learned the fundamentals.

Monks lead the children through dribbling basics and passing techniques. The overarching goal of working with the kids, for team captains Stockton Albrecht and Ty Bronson, was to ensure the most positive experience for the youth.

“Hearing some of the stories of what some of them have been through, it was really important to our team to make sure they had a lot of fun,” said Stockton. “And also that they knew they had just made 15 new friends on our basketball team.”

Cedar High basketball team members teach basketball fundamentals to local 4-H students on January 18, 2023 in Cedar City, Utah | Photo courtesy of Becki Bronson, St. George News

Bronson said the energy and excitement of the shooting contests was the highlight of the night.

“We lowered the nets and did some rapid-fire shooting contests, and they were awesome,” said Bronson. “It was so hype when they made a basket, everyone would jump and cheer. I really enjoyed getting to work with the kids and I loved all the high fives and positivity — it was the best.”

The Iron County 4-H After School program is available at three elementary schools — North, Fiddlers and East — and at both middle schools in Cedar City, every day Monday through Thursday. Fees are minimal and waived for those who are eligible. 

“The experience for the kids is what we were going for; for us, it’s more than a game, it’s a culture,” said Emily Ridge with the 4-H After-school program, “One of the kids had come to 4-H that day having a particularly hard day and feeling very down, but she lit up as soon as the team got here.”

North Elementary 4-H lead Sadee Blackner said the opportunity for the younger children to be mentored by older peers is something they will remember. 

“Some of our students come from lower-income houses, but through 4-H they are able to have this awesome experience and support,” said Blackner. “The boys closed the training with a group team cheer, where they all shouted together ‘1-2-3, Cedar! 4-5-6, family!’ — it almost brought tears to my eyes.”

The 4-H After School Program provides assistance to students for homework and educational support. The program also has after school snacks and activities.

“In so many ways, basketball is a metaphor for life,” said Monks. “The fundamentals they master here, they take with them into the rest of their lives. One of those basics is helping others, I’m very proud to lead this team.”

For more information on youth 4-H programs in Iron County, visit their website.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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