Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the Barlow Youth Basketball Association (BYBA)?
Barlow Youth Basketball is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to offering a competitive basketball program for boys and girls in grades 5th – 8th living in the Barlow High School attendance boundaries. We are part of the Three Rivers Basketball League. Our mission is to provide playing opportunities for the youth of the Barlow community to enhance our Barlow High School basketball programs. Our home games will be at Sam Barlow High School and Gordon Russell Middle School. We will play most home games on Saturdays. Our staff will be working with the SBHS Varsity Basketball Coaches - Tom Johnson (Boys Varsity), Ben Labes (Boys Sub Varsity) and Craig Webster (Girls Varsity), to acquaint the young athletes through practice, basketball camps and coaching clinics with an emphasis on competitive basketball fundamentals. We want youth basketball to be a positive experience for everyone involved!
What is the Three Rivers Youth Basketball League (TRL)?
The Three Rivers Basketball League is a community sponsored basketball league for 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grade youth to learn and play competitive basketball. The league values and supports sportsmanship and teamwork from players, coaches, officials, parents and spectators. The Youth Basketball Associations that participate in the Three Rivers Youth Basketball League are: Barlow, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Lake Oswego, Lakeridge, Lincoln, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Putnam, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin, West Linn, Wilson and Wilsonville. For more information, see the Three Rivers League web site: www.threeriversbball.com
What is the time commitment for players and parents?
Like all competitive sport programs, BYBA Basketball does require a commitment and dedication to the sport/team. Practices will begin the first week of November- and will be TWO - 2 hour practices a week (time/place TBA) until regular season games begin in December/January. After the season begins, practices are still TWO times a week - 2 hour practices a week (time/place TBA). In addition to practices, games will be played during weekday evenings or on weekends, which generally requires 3 - 4 hours including travel time. There are approximately 18 regular season games with the possibility of tournaments on some weekends.
What are parents expected to do?
In addition to getting players to practices and games on time, parents are expected to be ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS in the league. We need parents to help in concessions, participate in fundraising, assist in gym set up & clean up and be supportive team parents. The league is made up entirely of volunteers and each parent will be asked to help out in some way.
Who can participate?
Any child entering grades 5th through 8th in the FALL of the current season and who lives in the Barlow High School attendance area. Barlow attendance area includes players at: Kelly Creek, Hall, Powell Valley, Deep Creek, East Orient, Hogan Cedars, West Orient Middle School, Gordon Russell Middle School or Damascus Middle School. Also, private or home schooled, in the BHS boundaries, as defined by the Gresham-Barlow School District attendance area, are also eligible to play.
What if I'm outside of Barlow High School boundaries?
If your child lives outside of the Barlow High School boundaries they will not be eligible to participate in the BYBA competitive basketball. On rare occasion, and at the request of a Barlow Varsity Coach, a player from another district may play. Waivers and official documentation must be signed and approved.
Do I have to have a physical to play?
Yes, each player must undergo a sports physical. The form is available on our website. Please see that form for more details.
Do I have to start playing in the 5th grade?
No. We have successful first time players at every grade level.
What if I have scheduled a vacation during practice time?
If you have ANY flexibility, please try to schedule around basketball season. It is important for teams to get conditioned, learn plays and work as a team before games officially begin. It is very important that your player be there if possible.

REGISTRATION:

How early can I sign up?
Registration begins in September or late August of every year. Specific dates will be posted on the BYBA website. (date open registration begins & date registration closes)
How Late can I sign up?
Deadline dates will be POSTED on the BYBA website. Registration will close at 11:59 pm that evening. It is best to register early so that you are guaranteed a place for TRYOUTS. Teams may be limited due to availability of coaches, gym time, etc.
What Forms are required for me to print and turn in after registration is complete?
1. Player Contract - this form is filled in for you when you register online. After you have fully completed online registration, this form will be emailed to you. Please print it out for your records.
2. Medical Release - you must print this form and have a parent/guardian sign/date it to release your child to play BYBA Basketball. You can download it at the BYBA website.
3. Emergency Info: you must print this form and fill out with all the players known medical history/conditions and emergency contact information.
4. Photo Release: you must print this form, read and sign it. This allows any pictures taken by BYBA during games and tournaments to be placed on the BYBA website or to promote BYBA.
5. Sports Physical
What is the BYBA fee?
To begin the Registration process, there will be a NON-REFUNDABLE fee of $5 per player to register and be invited to BYBA Tryouts. Cuts may be made. There are no guarantees of all players making a team. This is due to the number of teams BYBA will be able to support, including fees needed to run the league and availability of coaches. Once a player attends tryouts and is selected for a team, the remainder of the Registration Fee will be due. Currently, our fee per player is $225. This includes a uniform (players get to keep), and expenses that are needed to run the league. Some of those expenses include: gym rental, referees, basketball equipment, league insurance, etc. We understand this may present a hardship for some people and we are prepared to help. You may have friends, relatives, businesses, etc who may be interested in sponsoring a player or team and the money is tax deductible. See Sponsorship info/letter on website.
What if I know someone or a business who would like to sponsor the BYBA?
Receiving sponsorships from local businesses, members of the community, family, friends…etc. are awesome! Registration fees may/may not cover all of the league costs or include extra tournaments that teams would like to participate in. We will use sponsor money for yearly equipment purchases and for additional competitive tournaments offered for additional costs during weekends throughout the season.

UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT:

What uniform/equipment is provided?
BYBA provides almost everything you need to play. We do provide a uniform that will be yours to keep following the season. Coaches will have a few basketballs for practices, a scorebook and a first aid kit.
What equipment do I have to provide?
Basketball shoes
Socks
Basketball (their own for practices, if desired)
How do I take care of my equipment?
Basketball jersey & shorts - wash in warm or cold water. Do not bleach. Air/Hang dry or if needed, use low heat in dryer. Do not put in dryer on med/high as the numbers/Barlow Bruins will fade/crack. Basketball shoes should be for gym use only. Please wear other shoes to practice and change when in the gym. If basketball shoes are worn outside, they pick up gravel which scratches the gym floor.

TEAMS

Do I have to try out?
YES! There will be tryouts and a player must be registered to attend tryouts. Tryouts are mandatory and a player must attend in order to be considered for a team. Cuts may be made. There is no guarantee for all registrants to make a team. Therefore a $5 Non-refundable registration fee is required to attend tryouts. Once tryouts are completed and teams are made, the remainder of the Registration Fees will be due.
How are the teams divided?
Tryouts will be held in the evening and will be led by the BYBA Directors, Advisors, and Coaches. They will be CLOSED tryouts. Parents/spectators will not be admitted in the gym during tryouts. There will be boys and girls teams 5th – 8th grades. There are 3 levels of play in TRL – therefore, tryouts will be held to place players on appropriate competitive play levels. Teams will also depend on the availability of coaches and gym time. Players will be evaluated on specific basketball fundamentals including ball handling, shooting, defense and offense. Players will be matched according to talent and skill levels and there will be “elite” and "developmental" teams. Each team will have at least 10 players, and no more than 12 players per team. The goal is to have at least one team per grade level for all boys and girls.
TEAM SELECTION:
After tryouts are completed, teams will be selected within 3 days, unless coaches are still being selected/recruited, etc. BYBA Leadership or the head coach will notify players. If for some reason your child is not placed on a BYB team, a recreational basketball program such as YMCA will be suggested or referred.
Can I request to be placed on a team with a friend?
Unfortunately, no. BYBA requires all players attend tryouts and they will be evaluated and placed on teams according to their skill level. One of the great things about Barlow Youth Basketball is that all of the players will be with same-aged players from other elementary and middle schools. These schools feed into Sam Barlow High School, so this helps them make new friendships with students they will be going to school with. Siblings are the one exception to this rule.
Can I request a specific Coach?
No, see above.
How are the coaches picked?
Applicants for head coaching positions are reviewed and selected by the BYBA Leadership team. The Head Coach usually from among the parents of their players selects assistant Coaches. ALL coaches need to fill out an application - available on the Barlow Youth Basketball website and are subject to a criminal background check. Other requirements are listed on the application.

LEVELS of PLAY

What are the levels of play?
A:
AA:
AAA:
Levels will be discussed at the BYBA Parent meeting.
Play up/Play Down Policy:
Once they are rostered on a team at the beginning of the season, the roster should be complete and not change. Players are not allowed to play down, for any reason, either in age grouping or division level within an age group. If a team cannot field enough eligible players to play, they must forfeit or reschedule the game. TEAMS are not allowed to play below their age/level under any circumstance. Teams asking to play up to the next age/grade level, must apply to the TRL in advance of the season scheduling meeting and the TRL decision to be honored. BYBA will do our best not to have split grade/age teams. If for some reason, a team must be made with split grade/age, the team must play at the higher grade/age in all games, to include tournaments outside the regular TRL season.

GAMES

What is the schedule?
Game schedules are determined by the Coaches at a TRL Scheduling meeting. Players are required to arrive at the game site 45 min. before the game time to warm up and meet with team. Games are on evenings during the week and on weekends.
How long are the games?
Games are made up of four 8 minute quarters. With clock stoppages, half-time, etc. - most games last nearly 1 ½ hours. You will also have to calculate travel time to and from the game.
How many games are there?
The goal is to have between 18 – 26 games per season for each team, which includes league games and tournaments. At the end of the season, each team will play in a League Championship/Jamboree. The intent of the Jamboree is to offer team’s one last opportunity to play games against teams of equal competition as the TRL can provide, based on the seasons overall win/loss records of teams.
Is there Equal Playing time?
The BYBA is a premier basketball league. There is no guarantee for equal play time, nor are there any rules governing it. Play time will not be equal. It will be encouraged that additional playing time can be earned in practice. Depending on the position, skill - and the especially the willingness to work hard, may get a player to play more. But, ultimately playing time is left up to the discretion of the coaches. Exception: At the 5th grade level only, all players on a team are required to play a minimum of two quarters in each game, subject to injury or fouling out early. If a team has more than 10 players on the roster, since it is not possible to have all players play the minimum of two quarters, players should all receive approximately equal playing time.
CODE of CONDUCT:
All players, coaches, parents, spectators, fans, etc. are expected to be courteous and show good sportsmanship at all times during practices, games and tournaments. Every participant/parent of the BYBA will be required to read and sign the official TRL CODE of CONDUCT. If at any time, a person shows unsportmanship behavior, he/she may be asked to leave the game or facility in which the game is being played. OSAA Rule Enforcement- also by TRL/BYBA One game suspension for player, coach or fan for a game ejection. No exceptions.

Please practice good sportsmanship!!

GO BRUINS!!!