Youth basketball has made its return to the Cowboy Capital of the World. The Stanislaus Rebels are currently taking sign-ups for their upcoming season.

Basketball coaches Nathan Rien and Ian Ryland brought the organization to Oakdale as an effort to offer additional basketball opportunities to the city’s youth.

“We wanted to create a youth basketball league that helps promote the love of basketball and continues to help build the strength of our junior high and high school basketball programs,” Rien said.

A former Oakdale High School basketball coach (1999-2003) and assistant coach at Stanislaus State, Rien served as the head coach at Columbia College from 2003-2013. During his career as the Mustangs head coach, the team reached the playoffs three out of four years.

The Rebels season is scheduled from Nov. 5 to Feb. 2, with games slated to be played at Oakdale Junior High School on Saturdays. This league is co-ed, open to players from kindergarten to sixth grade. Sign-ups are currently underway; the last day to register is Monday, Oct. 1.

“We scheduled our season this way so there is no overlap with spring sports,” said Rien. “We understand the importance of each child getting the experience to play other sports and become multi-sport athletes.”

Cost for players is $125 but discounts are available as there is a sibling discount $100 for the first sibling and $90 for three or more. Each player will receive a uniform, a basketball, 10 games during the season and two instructional clinics. There is limited space and spots are filling fast.

For more information about the organization log onto their website www.stainslausrebels.com or email them direct at info@stanislausrebels.com.