VIDALIA &045; How can a group of youngsters add an extra layer of excitement to their weekend basketball games?

For Vidalia cousins Jamarcus Turner, 17, Jarvis Whitley, 15, and Quartrell Thomas, 13, the answer is &uot;tennis &045; everyone.&uot;

The three were joined by several neighborhood friends at the Vidalia Junior High School tennis courts Saturday.

The group took turns at singles matches, swatting balls back and forth, calling shots and keeping score.

&uot;That’s out Š 30-Love&uot; Jarvis said as one of Quartrell’s return volleys sailed across the end line.

Jarvis credits his mother, Delores Whitley, a teacher at Central Alternative School in Natchez, for generating his interest in the game.

&uot;She got me started playing about five years ago,&uot; he said.

Jarvis said his mom helps organize tennis tournaments for kids from Vidalia and Natchez during the summer months.

Jamarcus dribbled a basketball courtside as he kept up with the tennis match.

He said the group enjoys playing a new sport.

&uot;It’s an athletic game, and we like playing it. We’ll play ’til we get tired, and then go play some basketball,&uot; he said.

Jamarcus said the VJHS tennis courts and basketball courts were resurfaced a couple of years ago.

&uot;If they had a tennis team at school, we’d play. It’s better than watching TV or sitting around the house all day with nothing to do,&uot; he said.