The local youth hoops league tips off on Saturday. The Cherokee County Summer Youth Basketball League begins its 10th season Saturday. And league founder Laymond Dewberry said the league is bigger and better than ever.

"We have more than 300 players this year and we are expecting another great season," Dewberry said.

This year, there will be four divisions. Division I, featuring players ages 14 to 17, will be more competitive than ever. But that doesn't mean there isn't a favorite.

"The Suns are the team to beat," Dewberry said. "They have the most players back."

Those players include Robert Butler, David Dewberry, Josh Harris and Martell Fernanders.

But there is a handful of teams which could challenge the Suns, including OneTime No. 1, Indians and Ground Up Entertainment.

Josh Corry leads the Indians while Gaffney High star Rodney Love plays for Ground Up Entertainment. OneTime No. 1 features Eddie Jefferies, Kobe Hollis, Jazz Palmer and Clarence Jefferies.

Freightliner is the defending champion in Division II. But the Blue Devils and Trailblazers along with L&L Realty and the Nuggets could unseat the champions.

The Jayhawks and Tigercats are expected to battle it out for the Division III crown.

No scores are kept in Division IV, which features players ages 5 to 7.

The league will tip-off Saturday at 5 p.m. with a Division II clash between the Lakers and B&B Trojans. Four Division I games will follow.

The 10-game regular season will wrap up in late July with a postseason tournament.

All games will be played at B.D. Lee Elementary School.

The league will conclude with an allstar matchup with a youth league from Columbia.