Sandy’s Mt. Storm Youth Basketball Season Comes to a Close

For more than 20 years, the City of Sandy’s Mt. Storm Youth Basketball program has provided local youth with an opportunity to learn the game of basketball while building confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Each Winter, the recreational league brings together boys and girls in 3rd–4th and 5th–6th grades from across the Oregon Trail School District (OTSD) boundaries.

The mission of Mt. Storm is simple: teach basketball fundamentals in a positive, enjoyable environment. Beyond learning how to dribble, pass, and shoot, the program encourages young athletes to work with teammates, coaches, and referees while gaining confidence in themselves and their abilities. The ultimate goal is to help participants grow not only as players, but also as people — on and off the court.

At its heart, Mt. Storm is a recreational league focused on participation, skill development, and fun! This season, the program served approximately 300 youth athletes across 30 teams, supported by about 60 volunteer coaches. When including referees, staff, and the many family members who attended practices and games, the program estimates it impacted nearly 1,000 people in the community this year.

From December through March, it was inspiring to watch the athletes grow and develop. Players who began the season learning the basics — like dribbling with control — were soon confidently driving to the basket and finishing layups in game situations. Along the way, they built friendships, strengthened teamwork, and discovered a love for the game.

The season concluded with the league’s traditional Jamboree on March 14th, where teams gathered to play a variety of opponents in a celebratory end-of-season event. The Jamboree also included the presentation of Glenn Svaren Sportsmanship Awards, voted on by coaches. These awards recognized teams and individual players that best demonstrated the program’s mission and vision through respect, teamwork, and positive attitudes throughout the season.

Mt. Storm’s success each year is made possible by the many people who give their time and support. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the athletes and their families who dedicated countless hours to practices and games throughout the season. The program is especially grateful to the volunteer coaches who generously gave their time — often more than 60 hours each — to mentor and guide their teams.

The league also extends its appreciation to the referees and to the Oregon Trail School District for partnering with the City of Sandy to provide gym space and facility access. Thanks to this collaboration, school gyms were filled with practices and games nearly every day of the week during the season.

Finally, thank you to the Sandy community for supporting a program where kids of all abilities can feel welcomed, valued, and part of a team. Mt. Storm Youth Basketball remains committed to fostering a respectful, encouraging environment where young athletes can learn, grow, and have fun playing the game.