(Photo: Bradley Jones)

Airdrie basketball players looking for some extra playing time this spring could be in luck.

Registration is open for U13, U15, and U17 boys and girls tryouts with SC Elite basketball.

The U13 tryouts will take place February 23rd and 25th and Footprints Academy in Kings Heights while the U15 and U17 tryouts will be the week of March 16th at Bert Church once the high school season wraps up for the year.

Jamie Newman, Director of Basketball Operations with SC Elite says the players will have plenty of time to show their talent on the court.

"The tryout process is going to be over two days, three hour gym time for all boys and girls that will be involved with the program, get a good evaluation and then teams will be selected after that to participate in various tournaments and leagues and exhibition games over the spring months."

Some of the tournaments include the Genesis Classic in Calgary May 15-17, the Shooting Stars tournament in Chestermere and Visions Basketball which will see 60 to 80 teams compete from Alberta and Western Canada.

Newman says having spring basketball in Airdrie opens up new doors for athletes who are looking to fine tune their game.

"Before SC Elite was born, a lot of these kids were just going into the city because there was nothing being offered out here. I've been involved with coaching for a long, long time and Airdrie's my home and I love it and this is where I will be for the rest of my life, but I just want to develop a program and a culture for these kids, for these boys and for these girls to call their own."

With a variety of local coaches, Newman says he has a team that is passionate and looking to give back to youth within the community.

Practice times will get going in the first week of March and April and league play for the U17 boys starts at the beginning of April as part of the Genesis Spring League in Calgary.

For more information you can visit SC Elite Basketball's website by clicking here.