TRYOUTS

OVERVIEW

Over recent years, the administration and coaching staff have worked at developing a basketball program that would best fit the needs of our student athletes.  The program consists of an interscholastic team at both the 7th and 8th grade levels comprised of approximately 18 to 20 students who will participate competitively against student athletes from other schools.  Additionally, an intramural program is also available to student athletes not on the interscholastic team.

TRYOUT  STRUCTURE

The first two days of practice will be an assessment period.  As coaches, we will do our best to evaluate all student athletes fairly in determining the interscholastic team.  We realize that this process is not infallible and regret any hardships it may cause.  Demonstration of the following basic skills will be a part of the evaluation process that will help determine whether the student athlete will be placed on the interscholastic team or invited to participate in the intramural program:

• Lay-ups

• passing

• ball handling

• jump stop/pivots

• rebounding

• free throws

• general shooting form and ability

We will also look at how hard the players works, “team” attitude, enthusiasm, coachability, aggressive defense, general court sense, and game knowledge.  As we look at numbers, we will also need to take into consideration available positions (i.e., we cannot have 17 guards and 3 post players).

All student athletes who come out for basketball will be given an equal opportunity to display their skills and no student will be given preferential consideration for placement on the interscholastic team.  Just because a student athlete made the team last year or has played on other teams does not mean that they will automatically be placed on the interscholastic team this year.  

 Schedules of all games and practices will be given out once the interscholastic team has been determined.  All players who make the interscholastic team will be expected to be at practice everyday after school unless otherwise stated.

PLAYING TIME – INTERSCHOLASTIC TEAM

There are “A” and “B” games on most nights of competition.  All team members in good standing will play in the “A” game, the “B” game, or some in both.  We feel it is important for each player to be rewarded for their dedication and hard work given in practice.  This does not mean that all players will receive equal amounts of playing time.  Criteria for playing time will be attendance at practice, being a student athlete in good standing, effort, coachability, and skill level.

CONTINUITY WITH HIGH SCHOOL

We have met with the high school basketball coaches regarding their terminology and basic basketball philosophy.  We attempt to use similar terms and ideas in the hope that this will help the athletes in their future transition to high school basketball.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility requirements set forth by the K.S.H.S.A.A. are used in our program.  There are three important elements of this eligibility:

• Paperwork

1. Physical examination (DUE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, OCT 3rd)

2. Concussion Form/Paperwork  (DUE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, OCT 3rd)

• Academic requirements- the student must be passing at least 5 subjects of unit weight

• Property responsibility- the student athlete/parent assumes responsibility for equipment 

    issued to the student athlete

In addition to requirements set forth in the K.S.H.S.A.A., we stress the importance of reliability, dependability, and dedication on the part of the student athletes.  Student athletes on the basketball team are role models for the rest of the student body.  Due to the importance of this position, players who receive In-School or Out-of-School suspensions will immediately jeopardize their status on the team and may be dismissed.  We feel it is extremely important for our athletes to be at every practice session.  Practice contributes to each student athlete’s personal conditioning and helps reduce the risk of injury inherent in any athletic endeavor.  Additionally, it is important for students and parents to realize that injuries are a possibility.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

We have established the following attendance rules which apply to all student athletes on the basketball team because attendance at practice is so important:

• An excused absence from school is an excused absence from practice.  However, it is still an absence and must still be considered in determining playing time for the student athlete.

• An unexcused absence from practice may be penalized by withdrawal from participation in a game and/or additional makeup practice time.

• A second unexcused absence can result in dismissal from the team.

• A third unexcused absence will automatically result in dismissal from the team.

• Student athletes who know they will be unable to attend a practice must notify the coach as soon as possible so the coach can plan for practice and handle the absence appropriately.

PICK UP TIME

Student athletes must be picked up within 20 minutes following the scheduled end of practice.  Failure to abide by this rule may result in dismissal from the team (as described in the student handbook).

We would like to thank all parents in advance for your support and invite you to attend as many of our games as possible.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at school (339-4300).

Assessment/Evaluation Dates: 

Tuesday, October 7th 3-5 pm

Wednesday, October 8th, 3-5 pm

    Thursday, October 9th, 3-5 pm 

Interscholastic Practice Begins:  

                                7th Grade: Monday, Oct. 13th 3-5:00 pm

                        8th Grade:  TBA