On The Court Basketball Academy is partnering with West Hartford Leisure Services to provide Summer Nights Hardwood, an open-play basketball opportunity for boys and girls aged 8-14. 

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Bridget Bronsdon 

Summer Nights Hardwood, held over the next five Tuesdays in the Conard High School gymnasium, offers open-play basketball for boys and girls aged 8-14. The program has been transformed from the Blacktop Basketball Initiative, an open-play basketball program on Duffy Elementary School’s outside courts. 

Mark Walker with the Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon

Mark Walker, president and basketball trainer at On The Court, spearheads the Summer Nights Hardwood program which currently has over 40 girls and 20 boys enrolled. The young athletes have 90 minutes of play and are guided by local high school and college students. 

Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program held in the Conard High School gym. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon

After open-play, the evening concludes with a “shoutout,” where players will shout out their peers for recognition and congratulations on a job well done. 

“This is a really great experience because I get to meet new people and I get to play basketball which is a sport that I really like,” said Sedgwick Middle School student, Nora Tarbonneau.  

Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program held in the Conard High School gym. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon

On The Court is in its third year as a nonprofit organization, providing basketball training for youth aged 5-19. The organization includes instruction on basic basketball fundamentals, shooting, ball handling, dribbling, open-play and private and small group training. A portion of the proceeds collected by On The Court go to the town’s youth basketball programs, Conard and Hall basketball programs, and local civic organizations.

Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program held in the Conard High School gym. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon

Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program held in the Conard High School gym. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon

Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program held in the Conard High School gym. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon

Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program held in the Conard High School gym. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon

Summer Nights Hardwood basketball program held in the Conard High School gym. July 8, 2025. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon

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