Despite still not being able to suit-up to compete in games in their home state, the Kentucky Cobras have emerged as a basketball program to watch by traveling the AAU basketball circuit in Ohio and Indiana to keep their season alive.
After months of having to pause youth sports around the United States for the sake of the global pandemic and putting practical safety measures into place, there’s nothing like seeing aspiring athletes get back to being part of a team and doing what they do best: compete and standout.
In Northern Kentucky, the Kentucky Cobras are doing exactly that while safely navigating the uncertain waters of Fall sports in their home state.
Outfitted in customized maroon and white uniforms by Wooter Apparel, the Cobras are an AAU program rooted in building confidence and producing competitive youth teams through hustle and teamwork. It’s becoming a calling card for uniting kids on the court and watching them grow in the game. Led by team director, Ty Simpson, the Cobras implemented a strategy at the end of April to proceed safely with individual training sessions and team workouts for both Boys and Girls teams within the program. By June 1, Simpson and the Cobras resumed strength and conditioning and practices as they awaited word to get back on the court in Florence, Kentucky. They are still waiting. While games aren’t currently taking place in Kentucky, the Cobras have traveled to Ohio and Indiana to take part in games including a youth basketball tournament at Landmark Gym in Cincinnati — the 7th annual Ohio Players Nationals.
The social media movement of #LetThemPlay has spread throughout Kentucky thanks to parents and students alike calling for a re-opening of Fall sports, but now the Cobras may have to introduce their own hashtag to the State: “WatchUsPlay”!
“Overwhelmingly, our parents and players want to play. The kids are getting exercise and you can tell by the mental aspect of just getting out to play, it is having benefits,” said Simpson in early September.
“Obviously we should be safe doing it [playing basketball in Kentucky] but it should be up to individuals now to do that. Let them play, compared to us going elsewhere to play.
It was a long break but it was worth the wait to get on the court once again, even if the wait has been longer in Kentucky. The return to the “new normal” was made easier for the Cobras thanks to some words of encouragement from former NBA power forward, Terrance Jones (who spent the 2019 season playing in the Philippines).
“I know you guys were starting your league and we’re all going through a tough time with the Coronavirus, but I wanted to let you know to stay mentally prepared and do whatever you can to workout and stay in shape,” Jones said in his Instagram post to the team.
“We’re all fighting this together…I want you all to keep a positive mindset about it.”
As the Cobras continue to hone their skills and grow in the game competing as road warriors in Ohio and Indiana, their home and heart is in Kentucky playing in the Hustle Basketball League based in Erlanger, Kentucky.
For a youth basketball program that prides themselves on their hustle and genuine camaraderie, these young players are already putting together an unforgettable season despite the future of fall sports in Kentucky still in limbo. It’s even a bigger reason why the Kentucky Cobras remain a team to keep an eye on.