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(A gallery of photos follows the story below. Photos by Titus Mohler.)

The Joseph P. King Jr. Career and Technical Academy gymnasium was home base for exciting youth basketball competition on Sundays from mid-January into March. Young basketball players from around Western Tidewater and beyond were supported along the way by a large group of parents and cheerleaders amid the third annual FDPR/Camp25 Basketball & Cheer League.

“I am incredibly proud of our youth basketball and cheer program this year,” Franklin Department of Parks and Recreation (FDPR) Director Sammara Green said. “Seeing the growth, teamwork and excitement from our young athletes has been truly inspiring. I’m already looking forward to next season!”

She conveyed “a huge thank you” to area nonprofit organization Camp25 for its partnership with FDPR.

“This season’s success wouldn’t have been possible without their support,” she said.

Camp25 Founder and Executive Director Eric Benton shared a similar thank you with FDPR and spoke highly of how the year proceeded.

“The 2025 Basketball & Cheer League was phenomenal,” he said. “Huge shoutout to Franklin Parks and Recreation, all kids and all parents.”

He noted that this year, the league featured 226 participants, including 186 basketball players and 40 cheerleaders.

The league is coed and featured participants ranging in age from 4-14 who came from Franklin, Southampton County, Isle of Wight County, North Carolina and Suffolk.

The season began Jan. 12 and concluded with the championship gameday on March 9.

The Bulls earned the title of champion in the Senior Division, which featured 11- to 14-year-old athletes. In the Junior Division, featuring 8- to 10-year-old athletes, Coach P LLC won the title. In the Rookie Division that featured 4- to 7-year-old athletes, the Raptors triumphed.