WASHINGTON —Age is only a number in “The Techs” basketball summer league. All ages are welcome and the competition is plentiful as the league continues to grow in its second year. Many teams have formed and have begun the league as it advanced into the second week of regular season play this week at the Beaufort County Educational Technical Center.

Current AAU head coach of the Washington Heels Elite team, John Lampkins, known as “Coach John,” was adamant about how successful the league was last year, which is why he was excited to continue it again this summer. Sign-ups are ongoing through June 17 on Monday, Wednesday or Friday at the Tech Center. There are games for every age group: grade school, middle school, high school and adult leagues.

Each team member must pay a $10 fee that will cover the cost of a jersey and help pay the referees for their work during the season.

“What I’m trying to do here is get the young men off the street, and as far as the athletes in school, they get a chance to play adults that have been there before,” Lampkins said. “I want to give these kids an opportunity to not only help them learn about basketball but grow up as a young man; especially in a small town area, a lot kids don’t get a chance to escape it.”

There is quite a bit of competition in the league. Washington High School’s starting point guard Omarion Blount, Northside High School starting guard Rashon Smith and Northside forward Tyler Turner are just a few of the participants in this year’s summer league. The league also gets participation from alumni, coaches and former players from schools around Beaufort County.

The league will go from the beginning of June all the way into the middle of August with a playoff-style tournament after the regular season’s conclusion.

“I’m trying to change this whole environment,” Lampkins said. “Most of the young men around here love to play sports. As long as they can come out, keep it within the lines and have fun, this is something that’ll be great. We’re going to pray before the games, because none of this would be possible without God.”

The league is open to anyone in the surrounding areas, whether they reside in Pinetown, Chocowinity, Greenville or Aurora; anybody that wants to be a part of it, is invited, according to Lampkins.

“I want our community to change,” Lampkins said. “This, I believe, is one of the best ways to start doing that.”