Hitting the hardwood

SARASOTA — After high school, former Riverview and Venice High guard Kaydi Lyons chose an academic scholarship over college basketball, but she wasn’t ready to give up the sport entirely. 

She played in the SoCo Sports women’s basketball league, but it was eventually canceled due to a lack of participation. After watching one league after another fold, Lyons saw a need for something more permanent. 

So in October 2010, Lyons formed the Sarasota Recreation Women’s Basketball League, which has seasons in the spring, summer and fall. This year’s summer league kicks off May 28.

“Now that I just do it for fun, I don’t get burned out,” says Lyons, who also serves as an assistant coach for Sarasota High’s girls basketball team. “But it’s still pretty competitive.”

The season runs for nine weeks, with games held every Thursday at the Sarasota YMCA’s Frank G. Berlin Sr. Branch. Six teams of at least seven players will compete during this year’s summer season. In addition to the nine-game regular season, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs to compete for the championship. 

“It’s been fun to reconnect with old high school players that I either played with or played against,” Lyons says. 

The league is primarily geared toward women 18 and older, but there are also a handful of local high school students in the league. Cost is $50 per player and includes a T-shirt. 

Membership dues help cover the cost of the gymnasium, referees and insurance, among other costs, which can total approximately $1,700 per season. Lyons hopes to get sponsorships for future seasons. 

“I refuse to go higher than $50,” she says. “How can you beat that? You can’t. I don’t do this to make money, but it would be nice to get more community involvement.” 

This summer, players are dedicating the season to teammate Tylar Tracy’s mother, Dawne Tracy, who was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this month. Tylar Tracy played basketball for Sarasota High and currently plays for Lynn University. 

Sarasota senior guard Camille Giardina, who will play for Florida Southern this fall, designed this season’s T-shirt, which features the breast cancer symbol in the design along with Dawne Tracy’s initials. 

For more information on the Sarasota Recreation Women’s Basketball League visit sarasotarecleague.com. 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].