Saratoga News

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DAVEY FUNDRAISES FOR BASKETBALL COURT--OUTDOORS

By Chris Vongsarath

If coach Mike Davey's basketball team can't play inside, he'll take his boys outside.

On some days during the off season, Davey and the boys basketball team at Saratoga High School can't even get into their own gym to practice. So Davey is hoping to raise $110,000 to build a new outdoor basketball court on the campus by next season.

The demand for gym time in Saratoga has been competitive in recent years, with youth organizations, adult leagues and middle and high school teams all looking for a place to play and practice. Davey said the gyms at Saratoga High School and West Valley College are the most frequently used facilities in Saratoga.

Davey plans to use Sport Court, a company specializing in both outdoor and indoor sport surfaces, for the project. The court will fill the empty lot on the east end of the student parking lot on Herriman Avenue.

In addition to a full-sized basketball court, the surface will also be equipped for volleyball.

"It's going to be a nice facility. I envision it'll be good for the community and good for the school because there's a shortage of space for things like that," Davey said.

So far, Davey has raised about $5,500, giving him a long way to go before he can begin the project. The donations have come mostly from National Junior Basketball, with a few contributions coming from donation boxes that were set up at basketball games.

Davey said his team is planning to do some kind of fundraiser in the near future to boost its total funds. He added that the girls volleyball team has also expressed interest in helping out.

Davey would like to get the project rolling before this summer.

"That would be ideal. That way, we would have an opportunity to play on it next fall," he said. "But it all depends on who steps forward."

Donations can be made out to Saratoga High School in care of Mike Davey, 20300 Herriman Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070. Donations should also note 'outdoor court.'