NATCHEZ — The Natchez Youth Basketball League officially wrapped up its season Saturday with an awards ceremony, and league director Wilbert Whittley said the season was a successful one.

“We had an exciting season this year,” Whittley said. “We’re real sorry the season has ended.”

Whittley said the league, which was for kids for grades kindergarten through eighth, stressed the fundamentals of basketball.

“That’s the main focus of the league,” Whittley said. “We start with fundamentals in the pee-wee division. We get the kids to pass the ball at least two times before they shoot it and make an attempt to dribble a few steps.

“We strive to give them a step up on fundamentals and advance through the levels, and when they get to junior high and high school, they’ll have their cores intact.”

There were about 150 kids in the league this year, about 50 less than normal, but that didn’t dampen the fun the kids had this season, Whittley said.

“In our league, we put scores on the board, but we don’t keep a record of wins and losses because within our league, if they learn the basic fundamentals and get up and make a shot, they’ve already won,” Whittley said. “We stress sportsmanship in the league, and once the game is over, the game is over.”