N.Ky. varsity team turns into coaches

EDGEWOOD, Ky. - The Dixie Heights girls varsity basketball team is meeting the need of an elementary girls basketball league by sacrificing Saturday mornings.

Playing basketball in Kentucky is a tradition. That's why the varsity team is spending time with the younger players on weekends.

"There's not a whole lot of opportunities available for young girls that are in, you know, grades one through three," said Dixie Heights girls head coach Andy Elkus.

The varsity team executed a game plan to commit to Saturday mornings for the "Little Lady Colonels" basketball program. The idea was to teach fundamental basketball skills to the girls who had no programs at their grade school.

The high school kids served as players and students on Friday nights and changed roles to coaches and teachers on Saturday mornings. It was a sacrifice parents appreciated.

"When my alarm went off at 7:30 this morning, believe me, If I'm thinking it's a headache, it's amazing for these high school girls to get up and come out here," said parent Dan Romito.

"These high school girls are willing to give up there Saturday mornings to help little kids in the community," said parent Allana Oak.

"You know, getting girls up on a Saturday morning might not be the easiest thing," said Coach Elkus.

Katie Elkus is the coach's daughter and a senior on the varsity team. She understood the need for the program.

"I just remember when I was younger and that was the beginning of me playing basketball when I was around their age," said Katie. "They'll make Dixie's program [better.]"

The program has ended for the season, and also served as a fund raising opportunity for the varsity squad as $50 was charged to participate.