Coaches and parents,

Welcome to the 19^th season of the Whitefield Academy elementary basketball leagues.  We would like to welcome both returning and new members of the league.  We are excited about the growth of the league and thank you for your commitment to participate.  Attached you will find a copy of the rules and the most recent schedule. Before the game, please:

1)    Make sure the score sheets are turned in no later than 10 minutes before the game.  COACHES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCURACY OF THEIR SCORESHEETS. Technical fouls will be assessed for late or incorrect rosters.

2)    Game and warm-up balls will be provided by the host gym. Please do not allow players to use balls in areas outside of the gymnasiums.

3)    It is our intention to start games at the time listed.  Usually that allows for up to 15 minutes of warm-up time.  Should we be running behind, we will provide a minimum of 5 minutes. No game will start earlier than 10 minutes prior to listed game time.

4)    Locker rooms are available upon request.

5)    We will select an all-league team and an all-tournament team at the end of the season.  Awards will be presented after the championship game of each league’s tournament.

6)    Parents please supervise younger children at all times when visiting a school for games. 

I hope everyone has a great season.  If there is anything we can help you with, please let us know.

Chris Vaughn

Whitefield Academy

Athletic Director

Whitefield Academy

Elementary Basketball Leagues

-We have 82 teams registered to compete in nine divisions. Games will be played on November 6^th, 13^th, 20^th; December 4^th, 11^th; January 8^th and a tournament the week of January 10^th-15^th.  Due to odd numbers is some divisions, some teams may have a bye and subsequent double header.

-Entry fee will be $200 for the first team (per gender); $150 for the second.  PLEASE MAKE SURE THIS IS IN BEFORE LEAGUE PLAY BEGINS.

-Admission will be set by host schools. Please make sure parents are aware there is an admission charge.

ROSTERS

*No 6^th graders in Boys C-F divisions or Girls C divisions

*No 5^th graders in Boys E-F division or Girls C division

*Players may play up a level.

*Players may play on teams at different levels, but may not play on multiple teams in the same division. Note that there may be scheduling conflicts that result in teams of different levels playing at the same time in different locations---especially in tournament play.

*Teams must have a minimum of eight players on the roster.  At least six of these must be players not on a roster of a different level.

*Final rosters (with numbers) are due by November 3rd. Rosters need to have names (first and last), jersey numbers, and grade.

UNIFORMS

*Reference the website (www.leaguelineup.com/whitefieldathletics) for home and away teams.  

*Home team will wear white jerseys.

*Jerseys should be numbered with no digit above the number 5. 

*Shirts worn under the jersey should be of a matching color and the same color as the torso of the jersey.

*Shorts may be a different color of the jersey, but should match in color throughout the team.

GAME INFORMATION

*Coaches are responsible for turning in scoresheets 10 minutes prior to game time.  Scoresheets need to be completed in NUMERICAL order.  Please write legibly and include players’ first and last names.

*Teams with late or incorrect scoresheets will be assessed an administrative technical foul.

*A 28.5” ball will be used for all divisions.

*Six-minute quarters will be played.

*Teams may press for the entire game, unless they are up by 15 points or more (see rules chart for exceptions)

*Each team will have TWO full timeouts and two thirty second timeouts per game.

*The boys “E” and “F” divisions and girls “C” division will NOT use the 3-point shot.

* On free throws, Boys D/E and Girls B/C division players must start behind the free throw line, but may jump over the line on the shot.

*Overtime: the first overtime period will be two minutes in length, second overtime 2-point sudden death.

*League will use NFHS basketball rules in all other cases.

*Any forfeited game will result in a $75 fee payable to the school hosting.  This will help to cover their costs for officials and other game personnel they are paying for.

BOYS F DIVISION EXCEPTIONS:

*The first two weeks of the season will be development with coaches on the court and no officials.  Records will be recorded starting in Week 3.

*There will be no full-court pressing. Teams are to play half-court man-to-man defense. There is to be no double-teaming outside the lane.

*Free throws will be shot from a 12-foot mark.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

-Players must participate in at least 3 games in the given division in order to play in the tournament.  Waivers may be granted for injuries or other extenuating circumstances.

-Tournament will be seeded based on league play. 

-Tie-breaker method:

Note: When needed as a tiebreaker, point differential shall be capped at +/- 15 points.

Two-teams:

1) Head to head;

2) If teams have played multiple times, and split wins and losses, then point differential in the head to head match-up shall be used;

3) If teams have not played, then record against common opponents shall be used, followed by point differential against common opponents, followed by point differential against all opponents.

Multiple teams:

1) Record in games among those involved in the tie;

2) Point differential in games among those involved in the tie; 3) Record against common opponents;

4) Point differential in games against common opponents;

5) Point differential against all opponents

6) Once a team is removed from the tiebreaker, remaining teams will be evaluated starting with tiebreaker #1. (i.e. Teams A, B, C are tied.  Team A is 2-0 vs. B and C and becomes the higher seed; tie between B and C is now broken by two-team tiebreak method.)

In unusual circumstances, the league director has the right to adjust seeding method with consent of the athletic directors of schools in affected division.