DANCERS PERFORM — The ballet class at the Sycamore Youth Center, above, performed for audiences to showcase what they learned during the fall semester. Dancers included, from left, front, Gretl Nelson, Faye Lash, Piper Manuel and Ellie Janik; and back, instructor Diana Tygett, Luna Dickey, Zoe Nelson, Teibe Banga and Laura Schlich. Students also included Eden Graham, Emmie Graham, Elise Graham, Miriam Zaleski and Geneva Terry. Below, students who took part in the jazz dance class and performed included, from left, Manuel, Lash, Tygett, Zaleski, Schlich, Cana Frank, and Dickey. Emma and Elise Graham took the class as well.
— Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The Sycamore Youth Center held its end-of-semester ballet and jazz dance recitals Dec. 1, giving students the opportunity to showcase what they learned this fall in the center’s free programs. Classes are taught each week by longtime instructor Diana Tygett, whose dedication and encouragement have helped the young dancers grow in skill and confidence.

The ballet class performed a graceful routine demonstrating their progress in technique and foundational movement. Dancers included: Luna Dickey, Zoe Nelson, Teibe Banga, Laura Schlich, Gretl Nelson, Faye Lash, Piper Manuel, Ellie Janik, Miriam Zaleski, Geneva Terry and Eden, Emmie and Elise Graham.

Tygett shared how the ballet class focuses on technique and personal development.

“The girls learned basic ballet positions, technique and strengthening, while increasing their confidence and abilities,” she explained. “Watching them grow in grace, poise and courage each week has been a joy.”

The jazz dance class presented an upbeat routine featuring a variety of jazz styles and steps during the performance. Students taking the class included Piper Manuel, Faye Lash, Diana Tygett, Miriam Zaleski, Laura Schlich, Cana Frank, and Luna Dickey, Emmie Graham and Elise Graham.

Tygett emphasized the jazz class blends structure with creativity.

“The girls learned jazz techniques and steps to a variety of styles in a fun and engaging way,” she said.

Sycamore Youth Center Executive Director Bobbyjon Bauman praised the students and their instructor, saying, “We are incredibly proud of these young dancers and thankful for Diana’s outstanding leadership. Providing free arts opportunities allows children to develop their gifts in a supportive environment, and today’s recitals showed how much they have grown.”

The Sycamore Youth Center serves more than 500 kindergarten through 12th-grade students weekly through more than 40 free classes and programs, including dance, art, music, tutoring, leadership training and life skills.

The Crookston Youth Basketball Association’s (CYBA) 5th-grade girls basketball team went 3-0 and won the Sacred Heart Tournament on Saturday. 

They defeated Sacred Heart in the first round, won a close game against Riverside Christian in the second round, and beat East Grand Forks in the finals to claim the title.
Members of the team are Ashlyn Goering, Mireyah Magdaleno, Annie Kollin, Freya Brekken, Lily Griffin, Valor Klinnert, Penny Smith, and Evelyn Applequist.

Tags: and beat East Grand Forks in the finals to claim the title. 
Members of the team are Ashlyn Goering, Annie Kollin, Crookston 5th grade girls basketball team, Evelyn Applequist, Freya Brekken, Lily Griffin, Mireyah Magdaleno, Penny Smith, sports, The Crookston Youth Basketball Association’s (CYBA) 5th-grade girls basketball team went 3-0 and won the Sacred Heart Tournament on Saturday.  They defeated Sacred Heart in the first round, Valor Klinnert, won a close game against Riverside Christian in the second round

Donald E. Olsommer, Sr., 86, of Sterling, passed away peacefully on December 11, at the Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit in Dunmore, surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Janet (Hinds) Olsommer.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Felix C. Olsommer and Emily (Jones) Olsommer. He was a graduate of Greene-Dreher-Sterling High School, Class of 1958.

Prior to retirement, Don was the founder and owner of Olsommer-Clarke Insurance Group, established in 1972, with offices in Hamlin, Honesdale, and Moscow. He also owned and operated the Olsommer Tree Farm in Sterling. A man of deep faith, he served for 17 years as Pastor of Smith Hill United Methodist Church and was a lifelong member of Sterling United Methodist Church.

A United States Army Veteran, Don served with distinction for more than 30 years in the Pennsylvania National Guard, retiring with the rank of Major. He enlisted at age 18 in 1958 with the Honesdale National Guard and completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He initially served with the 109th Infantry in Honesdale, later transferring to the New Jersey National Guard, where he served with the 53rd Tank Battalion and became a full-time supply sergeant.

After completing officer training at the New Jersey Military Academy in Sea Girt, New Jersey, and Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he advanced through the officer ranks. In 1971, he returned to Pennsylvania and served as company commander for National Guard units in Carbondale, Honesdale, Scranton, and Tobyhanna Reserve Unit.

Don dedicated much of his life to public service. He served the citizens of Wayne County as County Commissioner from 1980-1991 and again from 2004-2007. He also served as a Township Supervisor, Former Wayne County Republican Chairman, and was deeply involved in civic and charitable efforts throughout the community.

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, golf, and tending his tree farm. He was a gifted athlete in high school and remained a lifelong supporter of Delaware Valley and Penn State football. Don was passionate about youth sports, serving as a coach, and was a co-founder of Sterling Little League. He was inducted into the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame, was a member of American Legion Post 807 and a 50 year member of the Salem Masonic Lodge #330.

Most of all, Don cherished time spent with his family.

Surviving in addition to his wife are his three sons: Donald E. Olsommer, Jr. and his wife Alene of Sterling; Pennsylvania State Representative, the Honorable Jeff Olsommer, and his wife Kelli of Sterling; and Keith Olsommer and his wife Mary Ann of Sterling; a sister, Helen Leahey of Georgia; grandchildren Phoebe, Betsy, Garrett, Mackenzie, Logan, and Liam; great-grandchildren Charli, Daisy, and Genevieve; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Ronald F. Olsommer.

A Funeral Service will be held Friday, December 19th at 11:00 a.m. at Sterling United Methodist Church, 567 Sterling Road, Sterling, PA. The service will be live-streamed on the James Wilson Funeral Home Facebook page.

Friends may call Thursday, December 18th from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the James Wilson Funeral Home, 143 Gravity Road, Lake Ariel, and Friday from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at the church.

Private interment will be held at Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst.

Memorial contributions in Don’s memory may be made to Sterling United Methodist Church, PO Box 25, Sterling, Pa 18463 or the Smith Hill United Methodist Church, 305 Sunrise Ave. Honesdale, Pa 18431.

For directions, to share a memory, or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.jamesfamilyfunerals.com

England’s senior women’s team have been nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year’s ‘Team of the Year’ award for 2025.

The Lionesses, who won a second successive UEFA Women’s EURO championship in July, will be up against the European Ryder Cup team who were triumphant against the USA this summer, and the England women’s rugby team who won the Rugby World Cup on home soil to complete a historic summer of women’s sport.

Voting is now open and will close during the live show, which takes place from 7pm on Thursday 18 December live on BBC One, the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.

The news follows on from Lionesses’ Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton being nominated for the main award last week, along with Michelle Agyemang being a contender for ‘Young Sports Personality of the Year’.

Make sure you register your vote for the Lionesses now!

15 December 2025 – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced the event programme and athlete quota for the Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG). The programme introduces a shorter competition period of eight days with around 1,600 athletes – about 20 per cent fewer than at Gangwon 2024. This decision was approved by the IOC Executive Board (EB) last week.

KEY FACTS

• The International Olympic Committee today announced the event programme and athlete quota for the Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
• The programme introduces a shorter competition period of eight days with about 1,600 athletes in fewer competition venues (mainly those from the 2026 Winter Olympics), reducing operational and rental costs.
• The programme will include the seven core Winter Olympic sports (biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating and skiing) and eight new events, including synchronised skating, mixed singles luge, moguls, and rail events for freestyle skiing and snowboarding, while 15 events from Gangwon will no longer be on the programme.

The Games will be held across fewer competition venues, mainly using existing infrastructure from the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, thereby reducing operational and rental costs. The programme will cover the seven core Winter Olympic sports (biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating and skiing). No decision was taken on additional sports proposed by the Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (YOGOC) since the YOGOC has not yet been established. This decision will be taken in 2026, subject to alignment with the programme principles, particularly the use of existing venues and infrastructure.

Eight events are making their debut on the Winter YOG programme to further boost appeal and youth engagement, including synchronised skating, mixed singles luge, moguls, and rail events for freestyle skiing and snowboarding, while 15 events from Gangwon will no longer be on the programme.

The rail events, which were recently added to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) calendar, are geographically accessible and conducive to indoor training with minimal snow, and can be delivered cost effectively using existing slopestyle infrastructure.

“This programme represents an important step forward for the Winter YOG,” said Karl Stoss, IOC Member and Chair of the Olympic Programme Commission. “It reflects a clear commitment to sustainability, innovation and youth-focused sports formats. Most importantly, it ensures that Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 will offer young athletes a world-class experience aligned with their development needs and the facilities of the host region.”

The EB’s decision finalises the event programme and athlete quota, following a comprehensive review conducted in close collaboration with the relevant International Federations (IFs). The programme aims to deliver a high-quality, elite-level youth competition that reflects athlete development pathways and youth-specific formats. It also seeks to reduce the scale and operational complexity of the event to better suit its youth-focused nature and the local context, all with a continued commitment to full gender equality.

The approval of the event programme represents a significant step forward in the preparations for Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 and underlines the IOC’s ongoing commitment to finding cost efficiencies for the hosts.

DAKAR 2026

At its meeting last week, the IOC Executive Board also received an update on the Dakar 2026 YOG, which are now less than a year away. The Organising Committee recently marked the one-year-to-go milestone with the unveiling of its mascot Ayo, the launch of the OMEGA countdown clock and the Dakar en Jeux festival, which included a testing opportunity through an international futsal competition and a recent equestrian event.

With under a year remaining, the YOGOC has now entered the readiness phase, focusing on finalising venue refurbishments, operational planning and capacity building. It has also launched its volunteer recruitment campaign, Jambaar26, with applications open until 31 January.

Key Takeaways

• 360 Hoops is an emerging sports-innovation company introducing a patented three-in-one hoop and circular gameplay built on the familiarity of basketball. The company plans to enter 30 markets in 2026 and scale to 60+ in 2027, anchored by flagship sports complexes.
• The system maximizes space, participation, and engagement – enabling scoring on any of three baskets and delivering more skill development, competition, and fun.
• One system adds three hoops to any gym, and up to five fit in a single court footprint – allowing 60 athletes to play simultaneously versus 10 in traditional basketball, a 500% increase in participation at scale.
• Teams of four play ‘King of the Court’ style 3v3v3 games, rotating through offense, defense, and a team in the queue – promoting fast-paced, creative, nonstop action.
• The company is raising capital under SEC Regulation D 506(c) for accredited investors, with early backers including Mike Brey, the winningest head coach in Notre Dame men’s basketball history, and Archie McEachern, Vice President of Basketball at PUMA.

From Taco Tuesday to Summer Validation

360 Hoops started with a problem every youth basketball parent recognizes: crowded practices where kids wait more than they play. Co-founders Shane Brey, a lifelong youth basketball coach, and Anthony Gomez, a telecom executive, watched their sons lose interest during sessions dominated by limited hoops, long lines and standing around.

“It went against everything I believed as a coach,” Brey explains in an exclusive interview with Youth Sports Business Report. “Basketball should keep kids moving, learning, and competing, not standing still.”

The breakthrough idea came on a Tuesday evening back in 2018. “Anthony challenged me to come up with a solution. A few days later, on Taco Tuesday, the lightbulb hit: I lined up three pieces of shredded cheese and three olives to visualize a triangular hoop system,” Brey recalls.

The concept moved from dinner table to prototypes, and that’s when the co-founders knew they had something scalable. “After an exhausting morning setting up one of the first versions of the 360 Hoop, we took a break and let our sons and their friends mess around on it,” Brey says. “Without any instructions, the kids instinctively created their own 3v3v3 ‘King of the Court’ format and they played nonstop, all day, until the sun went down. At that moment, we saw the magic: the game didn’t need to be explained… it just worked.”

The Facility Operator Math

For sports complexes and club directors evaluating new programming options, 360 Hoops presents a different value equation than traditional basketball. The system fits up to five units on a standard basketball court, each supporting 12 active athletes in a 3v3v3 format.

“For facility owners, operators, and club directors, it really comes down to one question: how much value can you generate per square foot?” Gomez explains. “Traditional basketball caps that value at around 10 active athletes per full court. By design, 360 Hoops supports up to 60 athletes on the same footprint.”

The format runs non-stop 14-minute games with up to three games per hour per hoop. “Multiple games, practice drills, or age groups can run simultaneously, all without needing more space,” Gomez adds. The company reports early pilots showing immediate increases in activity density and engagement, though specific facility performance data was not disclosed.

The portable hoops adjust from 4.5 feet to 10 feet and include breakaway rims. “Kids can build confidence and proper shooting fundamentals early, while breakaway rims unlock a level of fun that lets players of all ages dunk and feel like pros,” Gomez notes. “It’s been amazing to see.”

Validated Through Competition and Coaching Credibility

After years of development, prototyping, navigating a global pandemic, and piloting, 360 Hoops spent the summer of 2025 validating its format through tournaments and events along the East Coast. With sole capital to date raised from friends and family, a certain investor brings significant basketball credibility to the company: Mike Brey, brother of 360 Hoops inventor and Co-Founder Shane Brey. As the winningest coach in Notre Dame men’s basketball history and currently an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks, Brey has played a key role as both investor and advisor, helping ensure 360 Hoops delivers a high-impact experience for youth athletes.

“Having Mike (Brey) as an investor and advisor has been incredible,” says Gomez. “He believes his brother Shane’s invention doesn’t just elevate the game – it unlocks value for players, coaches, and the sport as a whole.”

360 Hoops emphasizes that its 3v3v3 format complements rather than competes with traditional basketball, with skills developed in this format translating directly to 5v5 play.  

The adoption path has followed a predictable pattern, according to Gomez. “Of course, with any invention, there are skeptics, especially when you’re rethinking a beloved sport. But the moment people see 360 Hoops in action, the vision is undeniable.”

The company showcased its format widely in 2025. Early in the year, it filmed a nationally televised event at the prestigious DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, featured on ESPN’s The Ocho, celebrating the country’s most unique competitions. Since then, ESPN has re-aired 360 Hoops more than a dozen times, giving the game national visibility. Over years of prototyping, the format has also been featured at NBA FanFest, in a Dude Perfect video with Luka Dončić, and an amenity at the Boca Raton Resort in Florida, highlighting its mainstream commercialization potential.

In addition, 360 Hoops conducted three pilot events along the East Coast, each deploying 10+ units in a single gym – a first for the format – demonstrating scalability and player engagement. The company hosted inaugural 3v3v3 tournaments filmed for potential broadcast, and partnered with youth development programs, including Behn Camp (incorporated into 25 summer camps) and Terance Mann’s Complete Player Camp, which featured a dedicated 360 Hoops day.

These pilots and showcases provided tangible evidence of the format’s appeal, operational feasibility, and educational value, positioning 360 Hoops for expanded rollout in 2026. With these insights, the company is moving to expand its team, streamline operations, accelerate sales and partnerships, and lay the groundwork for broader adoption.

Building the Pickleball of Basketball

360 Hoops is gearing up for its commercial launch in 2026 with ambitious goals. Patrick Donnelly, SVP of Partnership & Brand, outlined the company’s roadmap in an exclusive YSBR interview.

“2026 marks our shift from a cool concept to a high-impact, scalable, and patented sports property,” Donnelly says. The company plans to enter 30 markets in Year 1, aiming to double that footprint in 2027 layering 360 Hoops units, 3v3v3 events, programming, and partnerships across sports complexes, schools, community centers, parks, and hospitality properties.

“Each market starts with a flagship sports complex and expands outward through school partnerships, fundraising programs, and community installments and activations, creating a full ecosystem that drives awareness, adoption, and excitement.”

Positioning itself as ‘the pickleball of basketball,’ 360 Hoops has a vision that goes beyond recreational play. “Our long-term goal is a complete sports pathway, from grassroots to pro, powered by our patented hardware and gameplay,” Donnelly says. The team is also developing a pro-grade 360 Hoop with retractable 72-inch glass backboards, laying the foundation for elite competition and a potential professional league.

“That truly is our north star…getting 360 Hoops into every gym, school, and blacktop in the world, delivering maximum engagement, access, and fun.”

The 360 Hoops Business Model: A New Sports Ecosystem

While the signature three-in-one hoop grabs attention, the business model behind 360 Hoops is what positions it as a long-term sports property rather than a one-off product. The company has built what it describes as a “multi-layered sports ecosystem” anchored by two proprietary assets: its patented three-basket hoop system and its patented circular 3v3v3 gameplay.

Those two innovations unlock a commercial model that extends well beyond equipment sales.

“We’re not just selling a hoop, we’re building an entirely new category and experience of sport,” Donnelly explains. The company will pair high-margin unit sales with six complementary revenue pathways: 3v3v3 tournaments and events, school programming and fundraisers, building towards sanctioned competition, licensing, brand partnerships, and future media and commercial rights tied to the format itself.

The strategy is designed to scale its presence market by market. Unit sales seed adoption inside gyms and communities, which drives participation and awareness. That participation fuels events and school programming. And as more players, coaches, and facilities adopt the circular format, the company gains the foundation for sanctioned leagues, content, and long-term rights opportunities.

All three components, the hoop, the gameplay, and the ecosystem around it, can operate independently or together. But when stacked, they form a vertically integrated, defensible, and fully owned sports experience.

Patent Protection and Category Ownership

The competitive defensibility comes from intellectual property and first-mover positioning, according to Keith Dery, Co-Founder and Head of Manufacturing and Logistics.

“360 Hoops is uniquely defensible because we fully own the category we’re creating,” Dery explains. “Our patented three-in-one hoop system and proprietary 3v3v3 gameplay format, where players can score on any basket, give us true competitive insulation. No one else can replicate the hardware or the circular game where you can score on any of three baskets.”

Beyond the patented innovation, Dery points to the system’s portability and adjustability as solving practical challenges for diverse venues. “Coupled with growing traction among leading coaches, complexes, investors, and partners, we’ve built an ecosystem that’s accelerating adoption from the ground up as we get this company off the ground here in 2026.”

Strategic Implications for Youth Sports Facilities

360 Hoops enters a youth sports market increasingly focused on participation, engagement, and maximizing the impact of available space. Its patented three-in-one hoop and 3v3v3 circular gameplay address a fundamental challenge in youth basketball programming: increasing active play time for every child while creating a dynamic, engaging experience.

The company’s 30-market expansion plan positions 360 Hoops for meaningful scale by the end of 2026. While commercial success will depend on adoption and sustained engagement, the format is designed to reach far beyond traditional sports facilities – including schools, parks and recreation programs, community centers, churches, resorts and hotels, and even military bases – anywhere organizations seek to maximize engagement and participation through sports.

The involvement of Mike Brey provides coaching credibility, and patent protection offers 360 Hoops time to establish its market presence before potential competitors emerge. For organizations exploring new programming, the value proposition extends beyond facility throughput to skill development, retention, and overall engagement. As 360 Hoops rolls out in 2026, early adoption trends and its potential to transform youth participation will come into focus.

What’s Next

As 360 Hoops prepares for its first national rollout in 2026, the focus will shift to scaling operations, expanding partnerships, and bringing the patented three-in-one hoop experience to more athletes across the country. With a footprint spanning sports complexes, schools, community centers, parks and rec programs, resorts, and military bases, 360 Hoops aims to maximize participation, engagement, and skill development for youth and recreational athletes everywhere.

Players, fans, coaches, and facilities can follow the action and latest updates across social media @play360hoops or signing up through play360hoops.com, while those interested in partnerships, investment, or business inquiries can connect directly with Patrick Donnelly to explore opportunities to join the next phase of this innovative sports movement.

Legal Disclaimer:
YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.

#Partnership

About Youth Sports Business Report

Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.

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Whether you’re a sports industry executive, institutional investor, youth sports parent, coach, or sports business enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.

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Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?

Introducing Play Up Partners, a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.

About Play Up Partners

Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.

Why Sponsor Youth Sports?

Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.

What Does Play Up Partners Do?

We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.

Our Approach

Every partnership we build is rooted in authenticity and value creation. We don’t just broker deals. We craft youth sports marketing strategies that:

• Deliver measurable ROI for brand partners
• Create meaningful experiences for athletes and families
• Elevate the youth sports ecosystem

Our Vision

We’re positioning youth sports as the most desirable and effective platform in sports marketing. Our mission is simple: MAKE YOUTH SPORTS BETTER for athletes, families, organizations, and brand partners.

Common Questions About Youth Sports Marketing

Where can I sponsor youth sports? How do I activate in youth sports? What is the ROI of youth sports marketing? How much does youth sports sponsorship cost?

We have answers. Reach out to info@playuppartners.com to learn how Play Up Partners can help your brand navigate the youth sports landscape.

Youth sports organizations: Interested in partnership opportunities? Reach out to learn about our accreditation process.