About SKYBALL

Salem-Keizer Youth Basketball continues to get better every year. We supported 925 players on 93 teams during the 2006-07 Season. We trained and supported about 200 volunteer coaches and issued scholarships for nearly 250 players. The league held 93 games in middle schools with others at The HOOP in Salem.  Volunteers contributed an estimated 15,000 hours as coaches, scorekeepers, and board members, plus staffed registration tables, coaching clinics, and fundraising events.

What is SKYBALL?

SKYBALL provides the middle school basketball program for all students (boys & girls) in the Salem/Keizer Area. SKYBALL is the acronym for Salem-Keizer Youth Basketball Inc, the non-profit organization responsible for organizing teams and leagues. Scholarships are available to give students an opportunity to play.

Skill Levels

All skill levels and experience are welcome. The league is divided into three skill levels for boys (red, white, and blue) and two skill levels for girls (red and white). Players are placed on teams where they will have the most success.

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Team Selections

Local high school varsity coaches and approved SKYBALL coaches lead the evaluation sessions and assign players to teams. All teams, regardless of skill level or gender, will play an equal number of games and qualify for a post-season tournament.

Players who register will be placed on a SKYBALL team, as space permits. Teams will represent their middle school and will consist of players at the same grade level and gender.  Teams with mixed schools or grades may be formed for white or blue levels.

No requests for a player to be on a specific team will be accepted. SKYBALL rules also limit the number of players on a team to 9-11, with 10 preferred. However, this limit can be either increased or decreased with approval of the Board of Directors.

Evaluations

An evaluation process is used to form teams. SKYBALL Area Coordinators schedule the evaluation sessions at either middle school or high school gyms. Players must attend their assigned evaluation session to be placed on a team (e.g., 6th-girls, 6^th-boys, 7th-girls, 7th-boys, 8th-girls, and 8th-boys). Players who miss their evaluation session cannot play on a red level team.  Evaluations are held in mid-October.

Playing Time

There is equal playing time for each player during the first 36 minutes of the game. Playing time during the final 12 minutes of each game is at the coach’s discretion. Teams in the 8^th-boys red, 7^th-boys red, and 8^th-girls red have open substitutions.

The Season

Practices begin the first full week in November. SKYBALL provides pre-season games in December and ten regular season games in January through February.  All teams qualify for a single-elimination post-season tournament.

Practices

Generally, teams will have 1 to 3 practices of 60-90 minutes per week at your local middle school gym or at a nearby elementary school gym. Some teams practice at other gyms as space permits.  Most practices are held weekday evenings (5-9pm).

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Registration Fees

Player registration is $100. (Scholarships are available for those who qualify.)

Games

Most games are held on weeknights and Saturdays at The HOOP. Each team will play one “home” game at their local school.  Games consist of two 24-minute halves with a running clock, except that the clock stops during the final two minutes of each half. The season consists of 13 games played from December through February. A single-elimination tournament is held at the end of the regular season.

Tournaments

SKYBALL teams may elect to play in weekend tournaments. These are not sponsored or paid for by SKYBALL. The entry fees for outside tournaments run from $175-$250. Each team is responsible for entry fees and other costs associated with these tournaments. Additional tournaments may be scheduled by coaches after conferring with parents. There is no guarantee of playing time for players in the non-SKYBALL tournaments.

Uniforms

Reversible, mesh jerseys are supplied. If a jersey is lost or damaged, players must pay a $20 replacement fee. Players may keep their jerseys at the end of the season if they have a team sponsor or choose to purchase the jerseys. Team sponsorships are available to businesses and individuals for $250 per team.

Coaches

We appreciate the time and efforts of our volunteer coaches. This program would not be possible without their commitment. Coaches do their best with the time and talent they have to share. If you have a concern with a coach, we ask that you first attempt to discuss it with the coach. Most coaches would like to know your concerns. However, just before/after a game or practice may not be the best time to discuss issues.

If you are interested in coaching, please complete an application as soon as possible. We may be calling parents for help, if we don’t have enough volunteers. All coaches are subject to a criminal background check. 

Register for SKYBALL now!