NATCHEZ — Natchez native and former professional baseball player Nook Logan sees the potential in his hometown, especially for young athletes.

So Logan put his vision in motion, and now, the Miss-Lou camp and basketball league is preparing for its inaugural year.

“There was word going around that there wasn’t going to be a league around here, so I put my foot to the pedal,” Logan said. “I want to get some structure for the kids that don’t have too much going on after school, especially in elementary schools.”

But Logan isn’t strictly focused on giving children the opportunity to play basketball, he is also hoping to use the sport as a motivating tool for them in the classroom.

“Every kid at a certain age loves to play basketball and sports,” he said. “It is an avenue that I want to use to get kids to have something to work toward. After the start date of our league, we will have a pact or contract signed by both the kid and guardian saying that the kid will maintain a ‘C’ average or above. My thing is to keep the kids motivated in school and then have something to look forward to.”

Logan has teamed up with Eddie Young, a childhood friend, on the project.

“My partner Eddie Young and I were teammates when we were six and seven years old,” Logan said. “We are looking to make things work around here.”

So far, things have worked for Logan, and he said he has received quite a bit of interest since opening up registration.

“I’ve been getting some good feedback,” he said. “The schools have been helping out getting forms to kids and things like that. Everybody has been really supportive.”

Registration closes Feb. 6, with the camp fee at $45, league fee at $75, or a child can do both for $100. The camp and league are open to both boys and girls from ages 4-14.

Logan said he doesn’t know the exact date that the league will begin, but said he expects tryouts to start the week after registration closes.

Those interested can register on Logan’s website, NL7elitesports.com, at Sports Center in Natchez or at My Shoe Kloset.

Logan said games will be played at Morgantown and ACCS’ gyms and potentially other schools in the area, depending on the structure of the league.

Cheerleading will also be available, and Logan said he plans on hearing back from a cheer director by the end of the week.

There will also be a fundraiser for the league Feb. 26 at Sports Center from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Meals will be cooked by Buie’s Catfish Dinners.

Ultimately, Logan is hoping the league will flourish and he said that without the help of community members, things wouldn’t be where they are today.

“I want to thank Natchez-Adams School District Superintendent Fredrick Hill and other school administrative people that have been supportive,” Logan said. “It is a small step, but a step in the right direction back to the way things were years ago. I’ve also gotten great support from coach (David) King and his staff at ACCS. (Trinity Head of School Les) Hegwood was also really supportive and was looking to help.

“I also have to thank Sports Center for helping us with so much. For every kid that signs up to play or be a cheerleader, they will get a 10 percent coupon there.”

Logan said the league could potentially go through a name change to differentiate from the league in Vidalia. Logan also said there will also be an open gym once a week to league participants outside of practice time.