Sports briefs

The West Virginia Blazers are planning a benefit basketball tournament July 25-26 at Midland Trail High School.

Local teams are invited to join the Blazers to help raise money for drug and crime prevention programs for southern West Virginia youth. All proceeds will go for prevention programs.

Winners will receive a cash prize, T-shirts and 2009-10 season tickets for WV Blazers games.

Runners-up will receive free T-shirts and tickets to the 2009-10 home opener.

Registration must be received by July 20. Schedules will be provided by July 22 to team captains.

Team captains should submit information including the captain’s name, e-mail address, contact phone number and an alternate phone number, along with a check or money order for $150, to Bluefield Housing Authority/WV Blazers, P.O. Box 1475, Bluefield, WV 24701.

There is no limit on the number of teams that can participate. Each squad is guaranteed two games.

For more information, call 1-866-WVBLAZE.

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The Oak Hill Midget Football League will have football player sign-ups in July. Registration will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the fieldhouse on July 11, 18 and 25.

Age divisions are as follows:

* A-team — Must be 11 years old prior to Sept. 1 and must not turn 13 before Sept. 1;

* B-team — Must be nine years old before Sept. 1 and must not turn 11 before Sept. 1;

* C-team — Must be six prior to Sept. 1 and must not turn nine before Sept. 1. Players 6-to-8-years-old over 90 pounds may play on B-team with parents’ consent; and

* Flag — Ages 4-5.

Fee will be $25 for the first player in a family, $15 for the second and $10 for the third.

For more information, call Jim Holley at 304-575-0550.

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New River Health School-Based Health Program will be providing sports physicals for all Fayette County students at the following locations:

* Mount Hope Elementary School-Based Health Center — Monday-Friday through Aug. 31. To schedule an appointment, call 304-877-9133.

* New River Health-Lisa Elliott Center — July 24 and July 31. To schedule an appointment, call 304-574-2076.

Billing information will be discussed when scheduling appointments.

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Distance runners are invited to take part in the 26th annual Bear Hole Road Race, to be hosted by Twin Falls State Park near Mullens on July 18. The race is named for Bear Hole Fork Road, over which the race is held. It will feature three events: 10-K runners’ race, 5-K non-competitive recreational walk and a 1-mile children’s fun run.

Runners will follow a paved course full of turns as it meanders through the nearly 4,000-acre hemlock forest of the state park.

Runners in the 10-K race who rank in the first three places in their age categories will receive Bear Hole trophies. Winners of the children’s fun run will also be awarded trophies.

Registration will take place between 7:30 and 8:45 a.m. The 10-K race begins at 9 a.m. A 5-K recreational walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. Children (10 years of age and younger) may participate in the 1-mile fun run. All race participants will be placed into categories based upon age. There will be a 14-and-younger category, and then, starting at age 15, the categories will be in five-year increments up to age 70-and-older.

The registration fee for the 10-K run is $12. Early registration fee before July 14 for it is $10. Registration for recreational walkers is $8 and $7 for the fun run. All runners and walkers will receive a T-shirt.

For more information about the Bear Hole race or to receive a registration form, call Twin Falls Resort State Park at 304-294-4000 or visit www.twinfallsresort.com.