The Boys & Girls Clubs of Conejo & Las Virgenes held its first Jr. NBA Basketball League Awards Ceremony on Feb. 17 at the Los Cerritos Club in Thousand Oaks.

Eighty-five club members ages 3 to 14 gathered with family and staff members to receive accolades for their progress since the program started last November. The youths received trophies, team pictures, certificates of participation, model airplane kits and a small treat.

The league is the only sports group in the community which specifically serves the 3-to-6 age group in addition to older children. It also employs the "games approach" that teaches fundamentals and character development instead of spotlighting the firstplace team.

Eight-year-old Lori Garcia was named Most Valuable Player for the tremendous strides she made since November.

The eight-week session began Nov. 30, 2008, with practice and games on Sunday afternoons at the Colina Middle School gym.

The next season will start March 29. The $100 league fee includes full uniform, trophy, team picture and club membership. Financial assistance is available.

To register, call David DeMaio at (818)706-0905, ext. 111.