2025-26
YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Join our organized youth basketball league that grows with your child. Each year players are introduced to new rules and pieces of the game to ensure success and aid in the development of all players in the league.
Volunteer coaches are needed at every level
Winter Registration Deadlines
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Boys & Girls: REGISTRATION DEADLINE - Monday, November 3rd
3rd - 6th Grade Boys & Girls: REGISTRATION DEADLINE - Monday, October 6th
7th and 8th Grade Boys & Girls: REGISTRATION DEADLINE - Monday, November 3rd
Summer Registration Deadline
Kindergarten - 8th Grade: REGISTRATION DEADLINE - Monday, May 11th
Team Formation:
WINTER - For the 2025-26 season, teams will be formed using a coach's draft. This will apply for 3rd - 8th grade teams. Kindergarten - 2nd teams will be formed by HPD recreation staff.
All Head Coaches are allowed to select (1) one Assistant Coach per team, and is considered the Head Coaches ONLY friend request.
SUMMER - This league will not include a coach's draft or player evaluation. Teams will be made by player friend requests and practice availability.
Friend/Coach Requests:
Friend/Coach requests are not guaranteed!
Friend requests will be considered in the following order when making teams:
1.) Head Coach Friend Request (see above)
2.) Assistant Coach Friend Request – only 1 Assistant Coach friend request will be allowed (unless Assistant Coach is the Head Coach's Friend Request).
3.) Remaining players are selected based on results of the Coach's Draft.
Important Meeting Dates
WINTER
Coach's Draft 2026 - TBD
Coach's Meeting 2026 - TBD
SUMMER
TBD
League Rules
1st/2nd Grade
3rd Grade Boys & 3rd/4th Grade Girls
4th Grade Boys
5th/6th Grade Boys & Girls
7th/8th Grade Boys & Girls
"Rules Quick Sheet"
Kindergarten
The Kindergarten League is a great introduction to the sport of basketball. All meetings will take place on Saturdays. The first 2 meetings will be dedicated entirely to skill development. After that each meeting will have skill development along with a scrimmage with another team in the program with coaches acting as the referees.
1st & 2nd Grade
Players will play with lower rims (8 ft.) and use a smaller basketball (Junior) promote confidence and success with every participant. Learning the basic skills of basketball, teamwork and fun are the focus for this program.
3rd & 4th Grade
Grades will be split by boys and girls. 3rd/4th Grade Girls will play at 9 ft. rims, while 4th Grade Boys will play at 10 ft. rims. Grades will be split by boys and girls. A Junior Size (27.5”) ball will be used. More game rules are enforced during scrimmages so the kids can get a better understanding of the game rules to help prepare them for older divisions. Basics skills, rules of the game, teamwork and fun are the focus for this program.
5th - 8th Grade
Grades will be split by boys and girls. This program uses 10 ft rims and a Intermediate 28.5 size or official size (7th/8th Boys only) basketball and will have little restrictions when playing the game. Further skill development to help players succeed with the sport and fun will be the focus of this program.
Player Evaluations (Winter)
(Highly recommended for: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade boys and girls)
It is highly recommended that your child attends one of the “Player Evaluation Dates” listed below. Attending an evaluation helps in determining the players placement on teams. Players who miss an evaluation day will be drafted towards the end of the Coach's Draft. Player evaluations are NOT considered tryouts.
BOYS
3rd Grade
Monday, October 6 | 5:00 - 6:15p
Wednesday, October 8 | 5:00 - 6:15p
Thursday, October 9 | 5:00 - 6:15p
4th Grade
Monday, October 6 | 6:30 - 7:45p
Wednesday, October 8 | 6:30 - 7:45p
Thursday, October 9 | 6:30 - 7:45p
5th and 6th Grade
Monday, October 6 | 8:00 - 9:15p
Wednesday, October 8 | 8:00 - 9:15p
Thursday, October 9 | 8:00 - 9:15p
7th & 8th Grade
Sunday, November 2 | 11:00a - 12:15p
Friday, November 7 | 5:30 - 6:45p
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GIRLS
3rd & 4th Grade
Sunday, October 12 | 10:00 - 11:15a
Monday, October 13 | 4:00 - 5:15p
5th & 6th Grade
Sunday, October 12 | 11:15a - 12:15p
Monday, October 13 | 5:30 - 6:45p
7th & 8th Grade
Sunday, November 2 | 11:00a - 12:15p
Friday, November 7 | 5:30 - 6:45p
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*All players (Girls 3rd - 6th grade & Boys 3rd - 6th grade) must attend only one of the player evaluation days.
All Player evaluations will take place at the Rec Center Gymnasium (12015 Mill Street Huntley 60142)
Players will run through basic basketball drills and end with a scrimmage. Evaluations should last between 45-60 minutes per group depending on the size of the group.