The mission of AJAA Basketball is to teach basketball fundamentals and to prepare our players to move on to the next level. The goal is to see that each and every player becomes better at basketball from the beginning until the end of the season. We encourage all of our coaches to focus on team work and to teach what it takes to be successful both on and off of the court. We encourage players to be respectful to their coaches, fellow players, and their opponents. We promote an active and healthy lifestyle. We encourage players to rise to the challenge and give their all to help their team win. It is also our mission to teach players that team sports require a team effort, and it takes an entire team playing together and working toward a common goal. Finally and most importantly, to be successful in life you must be successful in the classroom. Being a super star athlete is not guaranteed to anyone and there are many things an athlete cannot control. By focusing on academics, you dramatically increase your chances of being successful in life.

2019-20 Basketball Committee (Volunteer Leaders Who Oversee Basketball) click HERE

AGE DIVISIONS
Basketball is offered for both boys and girls. 



Leagues are determined by the grade the player is in for the current school year (2019-20).  
Players that make a middle school or high school team are not allowed to participate in AJAA's recreational basketball league. 
NEW for the 2019-20 Season: Middle School and High School girls are permitted and encouraged to play in the Co-Ed Middle School league

AJAA BASKETBALL SEASON
The basketball season typically starts around mid-November for Boys K-12 and concludes right before Spring Break.
Girls K-6 will start early January and conclude right before Spring Break. 
There will be tournaments for those players in 3rd - 12th grades (Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades do not have playoffs).

Practices start:
Kindergarten & Girls 1st - 6th Grade: January 7th, 2020 (**will have an Academy/Meet the Coach Night in December -date TBD)
1st-6th Grade (Boys) week of December 9th, 2019
Middle Schools/High School Boys: mid-November  
Games start for most leagues: January 12th

COST
Co-Ed Kindergarten: $110
Girls 1st-6th Grade, Boys 1st-6th Grade: $125
Boys Middle School Co-Ed/High School League (7th - 12th grade): $135
***Due to low player registrations and lack of volunteers, we are unable to offer Middle School and High School girls basketball. However for 2019-20 season, Middle School and High School girls will be permitted and encouraged to play in the middle school Co-Ed league. 

REGISTRATION
Registration for Basketball is open September 23rd 2019.  

Late fees start:
October 14th (Boys & Girls K - 6th grade)
November 4th (Co-Ed Middle School)
November 11th (HS Boys)

Late Registration closes:
November 3rd (Boys & Girls K - 6th grade)
November 7th (Co-Ed Middle School)
November 17th (HS Boys)

DO NOT WAIT until the last minute to register. Leagues WILL BE CAPPED this season due to limited gym space and other restrictions. If there are any open spots to fill after registration closes we will reopen on a limited basis with an additional $25 late fee added.

**If you have a player trying out for an Avon school team, that wants to play AJAA Basketball in the event they do not make a school team, please register them to avoid late fees.  If they make an Avon school team, per our refund policy you will be issued a full refund with no penalty.

PRACTICES AND GAMES
Basketball Practices and games are during the week and on Saturdays and even some Saturday evenings.  Typically most teams do not have activity on the same night of the week from week to week.  Activity will vary based on school availability and blackout dates.

AJAA depends HEAVILY on volunteers for Coaches, Assistant Coaches, League Coordinators and Committee members to make the season run smooth.  PLEASE consider volunteering when registering your player.  Each year we face the challenge of being rushed to begin while the volunteers of the basketball committee, and each league coordinator scramble to get the leagues organized because we are lacking coaches. Each season we hurry up and wait, while we identify enough volunteer coaches, get coaches through the background screening process, conduct evaluations, draft teams, and start practice.
Once we have reached the point where there are enough volunteer coaches with background checks cleared, we will be able to proceed with drafting our teams. Evaluations will proceed as indicated on the evaluations schedule (typically the first full week of November; however depends on if we have enough volunteers with cleared background checks). This schedule will be coming soon, please be sure to check and see when your player is scheduled for evaluations.

Please note:  League and Grade specific practice days/times will not be determined until after registration has closed. Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades (boys and girls) will have 45 minute practices to help get our younger players home at an earlier time. 

Practices and Games will be held in Avon Community School Corporation's elementary schools, Intermediate West, and Avon High School.  These gyms enable us to accommodate the 1,100+ children that participate in our basketball program.  Because of our partnership and the excellent rapport between the school district and AJAA that we are able to provide such an extensive program.  Please help us maintain this relationship and respect the school property. 

**There is a possibility there may be some game/practice activity on Saturday evenings and if absolutely needed Sundays as well depending on the number of players registered and any gym space limitations. Typically if there is Sunday activity, it will be in the afternoon and only if gym space limitations require us to move some activity to Sundays. We are hopeful to avoid Sundays if possible.

EVALUATIONS
Please use the evals schedule document to determine your player's schedule time for evals.  For the 2020 (2019-2020) Evals schedule, please click HERE! 
**If your player is registered, but on the wait list, we ask that they DO attend evals.
PLEASE NOTE: the schedule is subject to change based on gym availability.  Please check back here often to view the most current schedule. 

GEAR REQUIRED  
AJAA will provide uniform shirts.  Players are asked to supply their own basketball.