Issaquah Select Boys Basketball

Issaquah Select Boys Basketball is a program comprised of six teams for boys in grades six through eight.  The three “A” teams are members of the Eastside Traveling League (ETL, www.eteamz.com/etl) while the three ”B” teams play in the Cascade Basketball Travel League (CBTL, http://www.eteamz.com/CBTL).

Contents:

  • PURPOSE AND GOALS
  • ELIGIBILITY
  • TRYOUTS/EVALUATIONS
  • TEAM SELECTIONS
  • SELECTION NOTIFICATION
  • COACHES AND TEAM PARENTS
  • PRACTICES
  • GAMES
  • PURPOSE AND GOALS
  • FEES
  • ANNUAL MEETING
  • PLAYING TIME
  • DISCIPLINE
  • BASKETBALLS
  • FORMS

 

 

PURPOSE AND GOALS

Player Development. The focus of the Select program is to develop well-rounded players who are interested in competing at the high school level. Unlike other outlets, which are more recreational in nature (Bellevue Boys & Girls Clubs, Issaquah Parks, etc.), Select basketball is an accelerated program and requires a greater commitment on the part of players and parents.

 

Teach Fundamentals. In preparation for high school level basketball, our coaches will stress the importance of fundamentals and good work habits. This includes everything from technique to learning how to be a good teammate.

 

Values and Other Skills. Basketball also teaches our kids about leadership, teamwork, sacrifice, respect and good work ethic. Through all the hard work, our coaches will never lose sight of the overriding goal – to have fun!

 

ELIGIBILITY

To play for an Issaquah Select Boys team:

1. Player must be male.

2. Player must be enrolled in either 6th, 7th or 8th grade or home school equivalent.

3. A player's permanent residence must be within the Issaquah High School boundary.

4. Player must attend at least one tryout session of the posted tryout dates.

5. Player must be selected to a team during the tryout period.

Exceptions:

Any exceptions to the boundary rule not listed below must be submitted, reviewed and approved by the Issaquah Select Basketball Board of Directors.

 

A.    If a player is on an Issaquah Select Team and moves his permanent residence outside the Issaquah High School boundary during the season, the player may continue playing on the team for the duration of the season.

 

B.    If a player played on an Issaquah Select Team and moves his permanent residence outside the Issaquah High School boundary after the season, the player may tryout the following year. This exception will only be granted for one season.

 

 

C.   If a player lives outside the Issaquah High School boundary, but has a sibling who attends a school within the Issaquah High School boundary, he may tryout for Issaquah Select. (Example: player lives inside Bellevue boundary, but has a brother/sister who attends Issaquah High School).

 

D. If a player does not make an Eastside Traveling League team in another boundary area, he may tryout for Issaquah Select if the Issaquah Select team does not have enough resident players to fill the roster.

 

TRYOUTS/EVALUATIONS

Players are selected for Issaquah Select teams via tryouts held in the fall.  Tryout schedules are posted on the Issaquah Select website.  Generally, three tryouts per grade are scheduled.  Players must attend at least one tryout; attending all tryout sessions is recommended. 

 

The evaluators are the program’s slate of paid coaches and do not include parents of players or potential players. Evaluators use a variety of drills and scrimmages to test each player’s fundamental skills. Fundamentals are the most important factor. Our evaluation staff and coaches also want players who have the “intangibles” – desire, hustle, attentiveness, a good attitude and the ability to play as part of a team.

 

TEAM SELECTIONS

Roster selections will be made following the final tryout sessions. Teams will be broken into two groups:

• ETL teams (“A” Teams): The top twelve players

• CBTL teams (“B” Teams): Players ranked 13-24

 

SELECTION NOTIFICATION

Players who have been selected for a team will be called by coaches to secure a commitment.  Once team rosters are finalized, they will be posted on the Issaquah Select Basketball website.

 

COACHES AND TEAM PARENTS

The Issaquah Select program strives to recruit and hire paid coaches who do not have children playing on the team.  However, it is sometimes difficult to recruit enough qualified non-parent coaches, so the program occasionally relies on experienced parent-coaches in order to field a full slate of six teams.  At the head coaches’ discretion, volunteer assistant coaches (parents or non-parents) may help with the teams.  All head and assistant coaches undergo a background check.

 

Teams also rely heavily on parents to help with team organization, communication flow, and service on the Issaquah Select Board. 

 

PRACTICES

 

Practices are held mid-October through mid-February.  Players should expect three practices a week, sometimes two.  Practices usually last 1.5 or 2 hours. Practices are held at schools throughout Issaquah.

 

 

NOTE:  Because the practice schedule is dependent on the schools’ use of the gyms, the practice schedule may sometimes be provided with short notice.

 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT 2008-09 SEASON:  Because of construction at both Issaquah and Skyline High Schools, there will be far less availability of gym space compared to normal years.  As of press time, final decisions for addressing the reduced availability had not been made, but parents and players should understand that the solution may involve less practice time or greater driving distances to facilities than in normal years. 

 

 

GAMES

 

Games for A Teams (ETL) generally begin the first weekend of December and conclude in February. Teams play every Saturday and Sunday at various High Schools from Snohomish to Mercer Island. Game start times vary.

 

 

Games for B Teams (CTL) generally begin the first weekend of December and conclude in February. Teams play two games each Sunday at various locations. Start times vary.

 

 

Please consider the weekend commitment when signing your child up to tryout. Players must be able to commit to games and practices.

 

 

TOURNAMENTS

Both the ETL and CTL have league tournaments at the end of the season for teams that qualify.

 

 

In addition, teams generally play 2-4 tournaments throughout the year in addition to the league post-season tournament. Tournaments usually run 3 days over a weekend, with varying game times.

 

 

FEES

 

There is no cost to tryout.

 

For those selected for a team, the 2009-2010 season fees will be determined prior to our annual meeting and will most likely fall between $425 and $450 (checks payable to Issaquah Select Basketball). This covers the costs of coaches, referees, league fees, fees for two non-league tournaments and gym time.

 

 

Uniform costs (about $80) are extra; however, players who played in the 2007-08

Select program may re-use their uniforms. Other equipment, such as practice jerseys, may also be required.  Parents will be able to order uniforms and optional “logo wear” on-line.  More information regarding uniforms and other clothing will be provided to parents after teams are formed.

 

 

There may be optional expenses for items such as photos, specialized training clinics and additional tournaments.

 

 

 

ANNUAL MEETING

 

The Issaquah Select program’s Annual Meeting is mandatory for parents and players.  This year it will be TBD in the last week of September in the IMS Commons.  The program fee is due at the annual meeting, and payment must be received before a player may participate in practices.  The annual meeting is also an opportunity for players to meet their coaches and teammates and parents to ask questions.  General business matters of the organization are also dealt with.

 

 

PLAYING TIME

 

As this is a select program, playing time for individual players will be earned based on a variety of factors that may include player skills, effort, attendance, attitude and anything else that the coach deems important. Some players may only play the minimum playing time required by league rules (see ETL and CTL websites for more info).

 

 

Absences:  If a player has an unexcused absence from practice in any one week, he must sit out at least one half of the following game.  If a player has two or more unexcused absences in any one week, he must sit out the entire next game.  Excused absences include absences for homework or other academic matters, illness, family emergency, family travel, and completion of commitments to Fall sports (in October and November).

 

 

 

DISCIPLINE

 

Academics: All Issaquah Select players are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.

 

 

Suspensions: If a player is suspended from School for any reason, he will be suspended from practices and games until the school suspension ends. Should a player be expelled from school for any reason, he will be removed from the team and forfeit all fees. If a player is involved in any criminal activity, the individual case will be reviewed by the Issaquah Select Board.

 

 

Tardiness: Tardiness policies are individually set and enforced by the Head Coach. Special consideration will be given to tardiness during October and November due to conflicts with other sports.

 

BASKETBALLS

Basketballs are provided at practice.  6th graders use 28.5” basketballs; 7th and 8th graders use 29.5” basketballs.

 

FORMS

The following forms are available on the Issaquah Select website: