DATES: Friday & Saturday, November 20-21, 2026.
LOCATION: Prairie Trail Sports Complex, 2250 SW Vintage Pkwy, Ankeny, Iowa. The complex has four full-sized courts with a spectator’s viewing area and concessions.
DIVISIONS: 18U boys & girls and 14U boys & girls
PARTICIPATION RULES: The age limit for 14U teams will prohibit participation of any student who reaches his or her 15th birthday prior to August 1 of the basketball season in which they are participating. The age limit for 18U teams will prohibit participation of any student who reaches his or her 19th birthday prior to August 1 of the basketball season in which they are participating.
FORMAT: All teams are guaranteed at least three games. Maximum eight teams in each bracket.
ENTRY FEE: $275 for 18U teams and $225 for 14U teams. Registration will open by July 1 or earlier.
DEPOSIT: $100 non-refundable deposit per team. Remaining balance due by November 9.
SCHEDULE: Friday, November 20, from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM and Saturday, November 21, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (schedule subject to change).
GAME FORMAT: 18U games will have four 8-minute quarters and 4-minute overtimes. 14U games will have four 6-minute quarters and 3-minute overtimes. All Games will have 1 minute between quarters, 5 minute halftime, and at least 10 minutes between games. If we run behind, we will compress the time between games. If we run ahead, games will start at the scheduled times to allow all players, coaches, and fans to be present. If one team is up by 30 points at any time in the 2nd half, a running clock will be used for the remainder of the game, but the clock will stop at timeouts. 14U boys/girls and 18U girls will use a 28.5" balls.
OFFICIALS: Rules will be according to the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) https://www.iahsaa.org/basketball/ which follows the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) rules.
SEEDING: Teams will be seeded by a combination of record and unique match-ups. We will try to match teams to new opponents while maintaining a competitive balance.
ADMISSIONS: Admission will be $10/day for individual, $15/weekend for individual or $30/weekend for family. Children 5 and under are free.
CONCESSIONS: Concessions will be provided by the Prairie Trail Sports Complex.
TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES: Home team (light uniforms) provides game ball, official book, and prayer before games. Visiting team (dark uniforms) provides clock/scoreboard operator, and sweeping court at halftime.
RECOGNITION: Award medals will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams in each bracket as soon as possible after the last game of each bracket. All-tournament teams will be voted on by head coaches following their final game (coaches cannot vote for their players) and will be announced as soon as all votes are in.
TEAM INFORMATION: Team rosters and pictures for each registered team are required by November 1.
WEATHER: The safety of players, coaches, and fans is important to us. If weather become an issue, we simply ask that you remain flexible. We will make every effort to proceed with the tournament, including adjustments to the schedule if needed.
HOW TO REGISTER: Submit program name & teams participating (18U Boys/Girls, 14U Boys/Girls) with $100 deposit per team to one of the following:
Mail: Des Moines Defenders, 3230 SW Coves Dr, Ankeny, IA 50023
Venmo: @John-Schuster-46
CONTACT INFORMATION: Please contact Des Moines Defenders Athletic Director, John Schuster, if you have any questions.
Phone: (515) 779-8797
Email: DesMoinesDefenders@gmail.com
