The Dartmouth Youth Activities Association’s Pony League had a strong start to the season at the league’s first games on Saturday, Jan. 5.

Coach Harvey Berube of the Pacers was pleased with his team’s first win against the Bulls, 27-13.

“All the games are pretty competitive,” Berube said, although he noted that the DYAA games are more about kids gaining familiarity with the game and having fun than engaging in tough competition.

The young athletes had fun, too, frequently high fiving each other or exchanging sympathetic looks about missed baskets — including one where the ball balanced on the rim against the backboard for a few tantalizing seconds before rolling off towards the ground.

“It’s a good league, trying to keep the kids involved and staying active rather than playing video games,” Berube said.

Berube, a member of the DYAA Board of Directors, has coached for seven years.

The Pony League is composed of 13 and 14-year-olds.