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.

2020-21 Basketball Committee (Volunteer Leaders Who Oversee Basketball) - CLICK HERE for contact info

AGE DIVISIONS

*NEW RESTRICTION FOR THE 20-21 BASKETBALL SEASON*

Basketball is offered for both boys and girls who live in Washington Township ONLY. Not sure of the boundaries for Washington Township?  Click HERE to view.



Leagues are determined by the grade the player is in for the current school year (2020-21).  
Players that make a middle school or high school team are not allowed to participate in AJAA's recreational basketball league. 

AJAA BASKETBALL SEASON
The basketball season typically starts around beginning of December 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 2nd - 12th grades (Kindergarten and 1st grades do not have playoffs).
*PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19, at this time, spectators for basketball will be extremely limited. NO SPECTATORS for practices and only 2 spectators per player per game permitted.  Spectators must bring their own chairs for games; there will not be bleachers available.

Practices start:
Kindergarten & Girls 1st - 6th Grade: January 4th, 2021 (**will have an Academy/Meet the Coach Night scheduled for December 7th - 10th 2020. click HERE for complete info)
1st-6th Grade (Boys) week of December 7th, 2020
Co-Ed Middle School/High School Boys: December 1st, 2020  
Games start for most leagues: January 12th
***Please be reminded that these plans are tentative and subject to change based on guidelines from our health and government officials to ensure everyone’s health and safety. We will keep families updated as dates near.

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 2020-21 season, Middle School and High School girls will be permitted and encouraged to play in the middle school Co-Ed league. 
**A payment plan will be available upon registration 
***For info on how refunds will be handled should the season be cancelled due to COVID-19 click HERE.

Interested in knowing what a registration fee covers?  Click HERE for details.

REGISTRATION
Registration for Basketball is open September 21st 2020.  
NO LATE FEES - NO LATE REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED - NO EXCEPTIONS
Registration closes:
November 1, 2020 (Boys & Girls K - 6th grade)
November 8, 2020 (Co-Ed Middle School)
November 15, 2020 (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.

**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 early to ensure they have a spot.  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.

***AJAA does NOT guarantee team/coaching requests

EVALUATIONS
Please use the evals schedule document to determine your player's schedule time for evals.  For the 2021 (2020-2021) Evals schedule, please CLICK HERE. 

***BOYS & GIRLS KG-6TH GRADE ***
Thank you to all that attended evaluations this week!  Because of the great turn out, we will NOT have make up evals tomorrow night (Thursday November 12th).  If your player didn't attend evals, they will still be drafted to a team. 


**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 and water bottle (please put player's name on both ball and water bottle!). 


AJAA Shop Day at Dicks Sporting Goods
 November 7th & 8th 2020