Cass and Bruce Kirbo

Mrs. Cass Kirbo, who along with her husband Bruce and their family were instrumental in bringing a YMCA to Bainbridge, will be on hand at the Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA Saturday morning to congratulate 6-to-17-year-old basketball honor roll students in the Kirbo Scholars program.

Her appearance, which is part of the YMCA’s  25th anniversary celebration,  is a prelude to the first Cass Kirbo Holiday Basketball Classic, which will begin Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012.

The Classic, coordinated by YMCA youth sports director Jimmy Holton, will feature games among players ranging in age from 7 to 17.

The first Classic game will be Saturday, Jan. 7, and the regular season will run until Feb. 18.

There will be an end of the season single elimination tournament Feb. 21 through Feb. 25.

The Classic is being held in honor of Mrs. Kirbo, who was a volunteer youth basketball coach for several years. Through her husband Bruce and the Kirbo Charitable Trust, she has supported the YMCA time and time again. Their support have made the Cass Kirbo Tennis Center, the gymnasium and the pool available to the community.

YMCA interim CEO Mike Haynes said the students who take part in the Kirbo Youth Scholars basketball program will receive a $15 discount on registration fees, which are normally $35 for members and $50 for non members, and be provided with a game jersey and an individual team photo.