For the next several Saturdays, the basketball courts along Barnes Street in New Kensington will be a hive of activity as area kids gather to show off their basketball skills and work to grow in the game.

The seventh season of the Kings & Queens of the Court summer youth basketball program begins at noon Saturday, and founder Ian Benson said more than 50 area boys and girls ages 7 to 14 are set to fill the hoops and foster friendships under the watchful eyes of a group of instructors excited to see the future on display.

“The program continues to be steady,” said Benson, who first brought the program to the outdoor courts when they were completed in 2023.

“With the growth of so many other sports and activities, people going on vacation, it is a blessing to get the turnout and the numbers we do. I hope the program helps heighten the sport and stays on the minds of the residents of New Kensington and surrounding communities. I just want to grow the game to the level of where I see it in other cities and communities.”

Benson said the goal is to have set teams play each other every week, but with schedules changing and new kids signing up, there will be some team flexibility.

“We will try to keep the core of each team together for that team aspect, but (the teams) could look a little different from the beginning to the end of the season,” he said.

“In the past, they all have a great attitude about it. Last year, when we had to do it, they didn’t complain. They just love getting out and playing basketball. It is a great group of kids who are ready to learn, and I am looking forward to the potential of all of them.”

Benson said there is excitement when he sees players who come to the program with developed skills interact and work with some of the others who might be less experienced or are just starting to see how talented they can be.

“That is one of the most rewarding and challenging things about this,” Benson said.

“It is rewarding when we get to introduce the game, but it is such a complex game. People who have been playing it have such a big advantage. That is why it is so cool when we get to mesh the two talent levels together. The more experienced kids remember that they were once starting out and hoping to learn all they could. There’s always something to learn, no matter who they are. We want to help make that happen while also making it fun.”

Kings & Queens of the Court runs every Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. through the end of July.

Benson said he couldn’t come close to having this youth basketball opportunity available without the help of his instructional team, including Benson’s cousin and former Valley teammate Steve Ross, area coach Jeris Price, Burrell graduate Joey Marzullo and Valley grads Dom Lyons and Tyair Wright.

Wright, a 2023 Valley grad, came to the summer youth sessions in 2019 before his freshman year.

Benson said he is encouraged by the support from Valley varsity coaches Eric Kostyk (boys) and Tonya (Pryor) Norman (girls).

“Eric came down to our 3-on-3 tournament last Saturday, and I got to talk to him a little bit,” Benson said.

“He actually reached out to me when he first got the job, and we definitely plan on working together more to help the kids. Tonya and I have been working closely together, too, and we are looking to do some good things in the future for sure.”

Benson said he also wouldn’t be able to put on the summer program without the support of Joe Hargraves, the man behind the New Kensington-based Linda Louise Foundation, which serves to help many area youth and student programs.

Dante Cicconi, the New Kensington director of parks and buildings, and New Kensington mayor Thomas Guzzo, Benson said, have also been strong supporters of the program.

“Dante is the one who kind of opened me up to the access to do all of my basketball on that court,” Benson said.

“Mayor Guzzo has been amazing also. He’s been so supportive of us and what we’ve wanted to do with this program and everything we’ve brought to him. We have a close relationship. I used to coach his son, Anthony. It is so great to have the city’s support. I just hope it can continue for years into the future so we can do great things because the city needs it.”

Benson said that while the summer program is based in New Kensington, and he would love to see more youth from New Kensington and Arnold sign up, others from all over the area are encouraged to participate.

For more information on the Kings & Queens of the Court summer basketball program or the growing winter camp program, call Benson at 724-472-7324, email him at ianbenson1987@gmail.com or check it out on Instagram: @kqoc_basketball and Facebook: Kings & Queens of the Court Basketball.

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“I remember how fun it was growing up to play outside with my friends,” Benson said. “It’s different from playing in a gym. With all the tablets and technology and other things now, kids sometimes don’t get outside enough. To get them out here is cool.”