Harriman Parks and Recreation Basketball

ROCO City League Basketball

Our objectives:

• Provide a fun and engaging basketball experience for youth in the community.
• Promote skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
• Foster a positive and inclusive environment where all participants feel valued and supported.
• Create opportunities for players to improve their basketball abilities and reach their full potential.
• Encourage fair play and respect for coaches, teammates, opponents, and officials.

Our commission:

The RoCo Basketball League is governed by the Recreation Director of each town. They are responsible for team assignments, scheduling, coordinating referees, and addressing any issues or concerns that arise.

The directors strive to provide a fair and organized basketball experience for all participants. Participants are encouraged to become familiar with the information within this overview manual and league information. Contact your local basketball director for any questions or clarifications.

League Structure

We are proud to offer a 4U Biddy Ball League,  a 6U Co-Ed League, and an 8U, 10U, and 13U boys and girls league that provides an inclusive environment for all participants.

The season usually starts in November with team practices and a Jamboree event to introduce players to the league and their teammates. Games are typically played January through February, culminating in a post-season tournament where teams compete for the championship.

Each team can have up to 10 players, ensuring ample playing time and opportunities for skill development. Teams typically have one practice session per week, with the possibility of two practices in to help teams establish a strong foundation.

Regular season games follow a round-robin format, allowing teams to compete against each other throughout the season

Each team will play a minimum of 8 games, with a goal of 10-12+ games, including the postseason tournament. The total number of games is dependent on weather and performance during the postseason tournament. The length of games is determined by the league's rules, ensuring an appropriate duration for each age division.

Team Formation:

All draft-level teams will be fully drafted at the beginning of the season after evaluations. Head coaches may save all or none of the returning property players from the previous spring team. New players in the spring will be added to existing teams via the draft. See exception below.

Property players are those players who played for a registered head coach in the prior season at the same age level. Property players are the property of the head coach or assistant coaches.  A person is only considered a head or assistant coach if they are registered as such in the system for the applicable season.

If a head coach moves up or doesn’t coach, then one of their assistant coaches can transition to a head coach and inherit the property of players on their team. If a coach has dropped or lost an assistant, they must obtain their replacement through the draft. Subsequently, if a head coach leaves and both assistant coaches want to transition to head coaches and separately inherit property of players, they may do so only if they agree on which players each coach keeps.

Evaluations and Draft:

All players should participate in evaluations. Please see the Schedule section for evaluation dates & times. Any player who no-shows for evaluations will be assigned the highest possible score for draft purposes. If a player no-shows for evaluations and is draft eligible, they will be randomly assigned to a team.

Regarding draft pick order, the team with the lowest number of players gets to pick before teams with higher numbers of players. This process continues until all teams have the same number of players. Once all teams have the same number of players, the coaches will draw a number and pick according to their number. Coaches must pick players with the goal of keeping the average team score consistent across all teams. i.e., a coach with a high team score must pick a player with a low individual score. A coach with a low team score can pick any player they choose.

Schedule & Events

Below is an outline of our typical season schedule.

• End of Oct - First of November - Evaluations
  
• First week in November - Practices Begin
• Last Saturday before Christmas - Basketball Jamboree
• Middle of December - City of Harriman Christmas Parade
• December 24-25th - Winter Holiday (No Practices)
• First Saturday in January - Season Starts
• Mid-Late February - End of Season Tournament
• Last week in February - Season Ends

*Dates are subject to change. Locations & times will be provided later.

• Parents or guardians are required to create an account on SportsConnect to register their child for the league. To create an account and/or register, click https://leagues.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1818318
• Registration for the upcoming season typically opens in September and continues into October.
  

Equipment, Uniforms & Facilities

Team jerseys will be provided for each player for official games. Coaches may attempt to coordinate shorts colors for consistency as well as find a local sponsor or sponsors for your team. It is the responsibility of each participant to come prepared with the necessary equipment and attire for practices and games. Players are required to have the following equipment and clothing:

• Water bottle
• Basketball/tennis shoes
• Socks
• Athletic shorts and shirts

The league utilizes the Harriman Community Center, Harriman Middle school,  Rockwood Community Center, Midway Elementary, and Cherokee Middle. The specific locations and directions will be provided before the start of the season. Participants and spectators are expected to respect the facilities and follow any rules or regulations set forth by the facility management.

End of Year Tournament & Awards

• At the end of the regular season, we organize a tournament for each age group (excluding the 4U league) to provide teams with an exciting playoff experience.
• The tournament format may vary based on factors such as the number of teams in each age group and gym availability.
• The seeding for the tournament is determined by teams' regular season records, rewarding their performance and providing a fair competition.
• Typically, the 1st- and 2nd-place teams in each age division receive awards to recognize their achievements throughout the season.
• Additionally, we may distribute participation medals to participants in the 4U and 6U leagues to celebrate their involvement and effort.

Coaches and Officials

We rely on dedicated coaches and volunteers to provide a positive experience for all participants. Coaching positions are open to individuals with a passion for basketball and mentoring young players. Interested individuals can apply to be a coach through our online registration system.

The league values the contributions of coaches and officials in creating a positive and rewarding basketball experience. Coaches are responsible for teaching fundamental skills, promoting sportsmanship, and fostering a supportive team environment. They are expected to adhere to the league's code of conduct and serve as role models for their players.

The league will provide trained referees for each game, with the intent of having two referees whenever possible. However, games may be played with only one referee if officials are unavailable. Coaches, players, and spectators are expected to treat referees with respect and courtesy, regardless of the outcome of the game. Individuals interested in becoming a referee should contact your local Director.