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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield High School varsity basketball players autographed team pictures for the youth players of the Courtside Cardinals at the Courtside Open House on Feb. 26.

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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield High School varsity basketball players (back) joined the Courtside Cardinals at the Courtside Open House on Feb. 26. The Courtside Cardinals (front) are first-, second- and third-grade students who participated in the first-year program.

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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield High School varsity basketball head coach Todd Muckleroy distributed youth basketballs to youth players who participated in the first season of the Courtside Cardinals at the courtside open house.

By ABBY SLANKER

neighbors@vindy.com

The Canfield High School varsity basketball players invited the Courtside Cardinals to a court-side open house on Feb. 26.

The Courtside Cardinals consist of first-, second- and third-grade students who have been training once or twice a week, working on their dribbling skills. The youth players performed dribbling routines at two varsity basketball games.

The open house served as an opportunity for the 68 Courtside Cardinals to meet and talk with the varsity players and coaching staff, including head coach Todd Muckleroy.

“I would like to thank the Courtside Cardinals parents for their patience. This is the first year we have done this, and this year has taught us how to proceed with the program next year and make any needed adjustments. Thank you very much,” Muckleroy said.

After a group photo of the Courtside Cardinals and the varsity players, the younger players were treated to an autograph session with the varsity players. The Courtside Cardinals were given a varsity team photo and lined up to have all the players sign the picture.

At the conclusion of the open house, youth basketballs were distributed by Muckleroy to the youth players who participated in the first season of the Courtside Cardinals. Decked out in their Courtside Cardinals T-shirts, the young players wasted no time trying out those basketballs on the court.

“Parents responded quickly to the new Courtside Cardinals program. We really appreciate their support. I think it’s a good idea to include the younger players in our basketball program sooner rather than later, and this program is a great way to do that. I would also like to thank Rob Kearns. He helped organize this program and took the lead when my season started. He has been a big help and contributed to the success of this new program,” Muckleroy said.