A new men’s basketball league launched in Whitehorse has drawn more interest than originally expected.

Organizer Colin LaForme said he was banking on having three teams start the season, but that quickly swelled to six.

“On the night we held the draft, we had nine guys sign up,” he told the Star following action last night. “It’s been an awesome turnout.”

During the last handful of years, a dedicated group would meet for scheduled drop-in games at Porter Creek Secondary School.

“Some nights, we’d get 20 or 25 guys,” said LaForme. “We had enough guys to start a league, so this year we just said ‘Let’s do it.’

“Once word got out that there was going to be a league, twice as many guys showed up.”

The Yukon Men’s Basketball League opened with two games Oct. 26 and will conclude with playoffs and a championship final Dec. 21.

So far, the Bears and Timberwolves top the league standings with 2-0 records.

Other teams include the Huskies, Wolverines and Eagles. The Yukon team working towards the Canada Winter Games in Prince George, B.C., is also part of the league.

The squad is currently 0-2, dropping their first game to the Bears 84-82 in overtime.

“We wanted to get our U-18 team more games,” said LaForme, who added he hopes to promote basketball as a life-long sport.

“So many guys that I talked to around town said they hadn’t played ball in seven or eight years. This creates a safe environment where there’s referees. It just makes it a more fun atmosphere.”

Huskies captain Will Chetcuti said the new league has drawn new players out of the woodwork.

“There’s been twice as many players coming out since the league started,” Chetchuti said. “I think organized sport is always better than having randoms show up.”

Wolverines player Ross Nesbitt played as a substitute with the Huskies last night. He said a men’s basketball league like this has been long overdue in the capital.

“Colin and I have been discussing it for a year,” he said. “There’s a lot of guys who have played a lot of pickup and high school ball, but they haven’t played in years. Now they’re back to playing organized ball. Colin’s done all the legwork and we’re all really happy with it.

“It’s a pleasant change.”

For more information on the league, visit yukonmensbball.wix.com/yukon/.