New LHS Booster Organization Supports Boys Basketball Program

A new organization at Libertyville High School is aiming to get more people to come out and support the school's basketball teams.

The LHS boys basketball program now has its own booster club, the Wildcats Boys Basketball Association (WBBA). 

"We want to increase the attendance at the games, to build the enthusiasm," said Jim Borcia, who serves as co-president of the WBBA with James Quigley. "Kids have a lot of alternatives these days, but I still think the event itself is a fun experience."

Borcia, who played basketball at LHS and whose son also plays at the school, said other LHS teams—like football and baseball—have booster organizations. 

"A lot of other teams have these organizations to assist the coaches in building the awareness," said Borcia. He said there are lots of great basketball players at LHS, along with a great coaching staff. "We just want to make sure people are aware of it. We're trying to bring back the event in terms of, this is the place to be on a Friday night or Wednesday night."

The WBBA will sponsor its first event, Tip-Off Madness, at LHS Nov. 22. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for the event, which will include scrimmages involving freshman, sophomore and varsity basketball players. There will also be shooting contests, along with raffles. Attendees could win items like gift cards or even a pair of tickets to a Chicago Bulls game.

Members of the LHS feeder program, the Libertyville Junior Wildcats, will demonstrate their skills in a shootaround, and the cheer and pom squads will perform. 

Borcia said he hopes to generate more interest in the WBBA through the Tip-Off Madness event. The group has about 15-20 members so far, he said.

The WBBA is planning even more initiatives, like possibly sponsoring theme nights at the basketball games or getting the basketball players to work on charity events, Borcia said.

"We're just trying to make it beyond just the game itself, to make it a little more rounded," said Borcia.

Contact Borcia or Quigley at wbba.lhs@gmail.com for more information, and "like" the organization on Facebook.