Oak Park Child Child Competes in
JR. NBA/JR. WNBA SKILLS CHALLENGE NATIONAL
FINALS TO BE HELD IN ORLANDO
--24 Regional Competition Winners to Compete
at the Finals on May 15--


NEW YORK, May 5, 2009—The Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA Skills Challenge National Finals sponsored by Singulair will be held at the RDV Sportsplex, the Orlando Magic’s practice facility in Orlando, Fla., on May 15.  Hosted by NBA Legend Bob Lanier and Orlando Magic Community Ambassadors Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw, 24 finalists will have the opportunity to compete in a series of timed fundamental basketball skills tests, which include passing, dribbling, and shooting.  One competitor from each gender and age group will be crowned national champion during an awards ceremony in Orlando on May 16.

“The Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA program teaches children basketball fundamentals and imparts transferable life skills,” says New Orleans Hornets center Tyson Chandler, who serves as a Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA Skills Challenge Ambassador.  “My participation in youth basketball programs gave me a strong sense of self, kept me healthy and active, and helped to develop my love of the game.”
 

Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA Skills Challenge National Finalists

GIRLS                                                                BOYS

9-10                                                                9-10
Kylie B. Moe- Juda, Wis.                        Dali Durazo- Oak Park, Ill.
Brie Anna Aldridge- Hickory, N.C.        Devin Pratt- Enid, Okla.
Taylor Robertson- McPherson, Kan.   Kyle Colen- Aurora, Colo.
Irisa Ye- North Wales, Pa.                      Jacob Miller- Draper, Utah

11-12                                                                11-12
Lauren Brozoski- Cambria Heights, N.Y.    Riley Phagan- Vevay, Ind.
Kathaleen Alomar- Cleveland, Tn.     Tripp Shelton- Clemmons, N.C.
Jasmyne Holmes- Lakewood, Wa.  Alex Mackeigan- Guelph, Ontario
Jessica Brinkley- Uniontown, Ohio  Jimmy Carrington- Racine, Wis.

13-14                                                                13-14
Maddie N. Howell- Cohutta, Ga.        Tyquan Wakefield- Columbus,Oh
E’lantra Means-Poughkeepsie, N.Y.  Jared Lambert- Smithfield, Ut
Chureah Laudel- Glendale, Ariz.        Weston Graddy- Ft. Myers, Fla.
Marielle Vizcarra- Calexico, Calif.      Kyre Singleton- Bristol, Pa.



Participants were determined following local and regional competitions held in cities across the country over the past four months.  The Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA Skills Challenge competitions showcased the top boys and girls in three age brackets – 9 to 10,
11 to 12, and 13 to 14 – from 35 markets.  The boy and girl with the best score from each age bracket in each market in the regional competitions were ranked nationally against those in the other 34 markets.  The top four scorers from each age and gender group were then selected as the national finalists.  

The Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA Skills Challenge sponsored by Singulair
is a free program for boys and girls ages 9 to 14 in which they compete in a time-based, half-court obstacle-course competition that demonstrates fundamental basketball skills to help promote an active lifestyle. This season, the number of Skills Challenge participants doubled to more than 100,000 children throughout the United States and Canada.

SINGULAIR is a prescription medicine approved to help control symptoms of asthma in adults and children 12 months and older and for relief of symptoms of indoor and outdoor allergies (outdoor allergies in adults and children as young as 2 years and indoor allergies in adults and children as young as 6 months).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: SINGULAIR is not a rescue medication. Always carry a prescribed rescue inhaler for emergencies or sudden symptoms. For asthma, SINGULAIR should be taken once a day, in the evening as prescribed whether or not you have asthma symptoms. If your asthma symptoms get worse or you need to increase the use of your rescue inhaler, call your doctor at once. Side effects are generally mild and vary by age, and may include headache, ear infection, sore throat, and upper respiratory infection. Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. SINGULAIR is available by prescription only.

About Merck
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs. The company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service. For more information, visit www.merck.com.

About the Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA
In its eighth season, the Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA has grown the game of youth basketball through recognition programs such as the Gatorade Championship Series, National Skills Competition, Pledge to a S.T.A.R Summer Camps, Clinic Series, National Team and Coach of the Year.  During this time, the program has reached more than eleven million players, parents and coaches globally, providing a support structure that not only encourages participation, but also makes the game fun and rewarding. Young players can create a bond with the game while learning what it takes to be successful away from the court, all at no cost.