About Junior Kahoks
The Junior Kahoks Basketball Association is a private, non-profit organization formed in 2008 to promote, organize and develop youth basketball within the Collinsville Unit 10 boundaries. While we have a strong relationship with the Collinsville Unit 10 School District, we are a stand-alone organization.
Junior Kahoks Basketball Association is the official feeder program for Collinsville High School Basketball.
Our MissionJunior Kahoks Basketball Association's mission is to offer youth basketball players the opportunity to learn the fundamental skills of basketball and encourage their love of the game while instilling and reinforcing values such as character, team work, discipline, respect and sportsmanship.
Our Philosophy
Junior Kahoks Basketball Association's philosophy is to provide as many young athletes as possible the opportunity to develop their individual skills, learn the value of being part of a team and enjoy the game of basketball. Our philosophy emphasizes developing the individual player over winning basketball games. Practice sessions will focus heavily on fundamental skills development. We will endeavor to develop fundamentally sound youth basketball players and encourage and inspire their passion to become a complete player both physically and mentally.
Overview of the Program
The program is designed to provide youth basketball players who reside in the Collinsville Unit 10 boundaries an opportunity to learn fundamental skills and compete against appropriate competition. Girls and boys teams will particiapte in competitive leagues and tournaments in southwestern Illinois and the metropolitan St. Louis area. We will assemble grade level feeder teams that will participate in leagues and tournaments based on each individual team's competitive make-up and skill level.
Our goal is to have two teams at each grade level for girls and boys 3rd through 8th grade representing the Jr. Kahoks.
Team Formation
All teams will be formed through a tryout process held over two days in late September and early October. After tryouts, teams are formed and rosters are posted on our website. Dates for upcoming tryouts will be posted on the website under the heading "Calendar of Events". If interested in trying out, please visit the Registration Forms tab on our website to sign up for the upcoming season's tryouts.
Season - Games & Practices
The season will begin shortly after team formation. Practices will begin in early October. Teams will practice up to 2 times per week at Collinsville Unit 10 elementary school gyms. Teams will participate in local leagues and tournaments appropriate for each team's skill level. Transportation to practices, league games and tournaments is the responsibilty of each family. The season will begin in October and run until at least January with some teams playing into April.
Program Participation Cost
The registration cost for a player to participate in the Jr. Kahok basketball season is $300, however, this cost can be reduced or even eliminated by participating in our annual raffle fundraiser. Once the registration fee is paid, each family is provided with raffle tickets that they can sell to anyone. The money from any tickets sold is kept by the selling family. It is possible and common for players to sell enough raffle tickets to allow a player to play for free. All raffle tickets are then entered into a cash drawing held during our annual "Jr. Kahok Night" at a CHS vasity basketball game.
The registration fee covers the entire season and each player is provided with a reversible game uniform that is theirs to keep and can possibly be used for multiple seasons. If a returning player has a uniform that is in good condition and still fits from a prior season, the returning player may use that uniform and their fee for the upcoming season would be reduced to $200. Each player is also given a reversible practice jersey that is theirs to keep at the end of the season.
In addition to the registration cost, there are several other time commitments and monetary costs associated with playing Jr. Kahok Basketball:
- Admission to games - almost all games and tournaments will charge admission
- Driving costs - many games are 20-30 miles away.
- Game day volunteers - parents are asked to help with admissions and scoring.
- Beg Day Shift - one two-hour shift is required on our annual Wal-Mart Beg Days.
- Boys Tourney Shift - one four-hour shift is required during the boys Metro East Classic held each December.
- Girls Tourney Shift - one four-hour shift is required during the girls Metro East Classic held each January.
Expectations - Players & Parents
At all times, players and parents should understand that they are representing Collinsville and the Junior Kahok Basketball Program. We make an effort to accommodate and work around other sports and activities but the key to success is communication! Players and parents are expected to:
- Demonstrate good sportsmanship both on and off the court to opponents, teammates, coaches, fans and officials.
- Inform the coach IN ADVANCE if the player is unable to attend a scheduled event.
- Be on time for drop off and especially at pick up. Arrive early for games.
- Try hard in practice and games, pay attention to the coaches, show respect at all times.
- Arrive at games with all the necessary equipment and uniforms.