Newport Recreation's youth basketball players scored big in the kickoff of the new NBA Fit Dribble, Dish & Swish  national competition.

Held for the first year, three Newport Recreation youth players advanced to the regional competition in Boston after finishing first in their age groups at the local competition at the Hut.

Julien Jones of Newport represented the 7-8 division; James Reilly of Portsmouth, the 9-10; and Jack O'Connor of Middletown, the 11-12.

The three were also honored during a Celtics game on Sunday, Dec. 20. In its inaugural year, the NBA Fit / WNBA Fit Dribble, Dish & Swish program, boys and girls in three separate age divisions (7-8, 9-10, and 11-12) compete against each other in a basketball skills course which challenges participants to dribble, pass and shoot accurately as quickly as possible.

The regional competition represents Team Celtics. The regionals represent eight of the NBA team cities, with 30 local competitions held in New England to advance to Boston.

The top scorers in each age group at the eight regional's will be compared and the top two boy and girl competitors in each age division will advance to the National Finals for a competition at the NBA All-Star Jam Session 2010 in Dallas, Texas.