Centerbrook--Connecticut Basketball approved the procedure for challenging an opponent's compliance with its residency requirement for the 2022-23 Season.
The key points are as follows:
All players from any Club or team must be from the same town. (Any exception to this rule but be expressly approved by ConnecticutBasketball'sExecutive Committee.)
All teams must digitally submit rosters (with player numbers) prior to the season tip-off. (Players who are “playing up” may be dual-rostered on the team for their grade level, e.g. 6B, as well as, the team for which they are “playing up”, e.g. 7B)
All League coaches will have access to the rosters for the teams within their division.
Coaches protesting a roster must submit a $50.00 protest fee. Specifically, if the opposing coach protests that: (1) a non-rostered player played in the game; or (2) a player participated in the game in violation of the residency requirement, they must submit $50.00 to the League who will, in turn, with review the matter with oversight from the Executive Committee. If the protest prevails, the fee is returned to the protesting Club. If a protest is made and the alleged offending team does not have a roster posted for any reason, the protest prevails.
The team that is the subject of the protest may be asked as part of the protest process to demonstrate they are in full compliance with ConnecticutBasketball’s residency requirement by producing the appropriate documentation regarding the player(s) in-question, a.k.a. the “Little League Rule.” See https://www.littleleague.org/university/articles/residency-eligibility-checklist/
Violations of the residency requirement can result in penalties up to and including expulsion from ConnecticutBasketball.
When the great Julius Erving joined the Philadelphia 76ers in October 1976. Erving customary No. 32, which he had worn for five years as a star in the ABA for the Virginia Squires and the New York Nets, was due to be retired by the Sixers in honor of Billy Cunningham.
Since Cunningham number was out of commission, Erving picked No. 6. That numeral would come to be part of iconic moments like Erving "rock the baby" dunk over Michael Cooper and his gravity-defying reverse layup against Mark Landsberger and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but was an illegal number!
So why did the NBA allow Irving to play with an illegal number?
The leading theory is simple: he was just so damn cool, no one could bear to challenge his coolness!
While Connecticut Basketball does not closely enforce its uniform number rule, please note if ordering uniforms the numbers are those that are visible on both sides of the uniform and that an official can signal to the scorers table with one hand.
Fall Skills Clinics & AAU Program--Fundamentals Make Champions!
by posted 08/31/2022
HomeField Hawks Basketball
CTBBALL sponsors and runs an AAU program--during fall and spring--under the Homefield umbrella. Our boys and girls teams are known as the Homefield Hawks. (Homefield also runs baseball and volleball programs).
To sign up to be considered to join our Fall session, please complete the following link: http://assn.la/UserForm.asp?RegID=321197&org=ctbball.org You may also contact Gary Collins (garyhughcollins@gmail.com) for additional information.
Information regarding our Program appears below.
Our AAU Program & Philosphy
In the Spring of 2022, the U12 HomeField Lady Hawks (comprised of CTBBALL players from Groton, Westbrook, Madison, Guilford, Chester, Deep River and Essex) received 10 weeks of instruction on fundamentals and drills before heading to one of the most competitive tournaments in the greater New England area, Basketbull.
We didn't teach them a single offensive play; rather we taught them "how to play" by mastering their fundamentals, spacing on the court, and multiple ways to defend the basket.
Result: The HomeField Lady Hawks defeated two of the top programs in the region (Worcester United and Springfield Ballers) in successive games to win the Basketbull Championship on their first ever attempt, underscoring our Program's philosophy that Fundamentals Make Champions. See photo.
Our Teams & Practice Schedule
In the Spring AAU season, we field boys and girls teams at every level 4th-High School.
In the Fall AAU season (which is shorter/8 weeks), we field teams from 4th grade to 8th grade.
All teams practice twice per week with the following schedule:
Our girls practice on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings.
Our boys practice on Wednesday and Friday evenings.
The U12 team practices 2X per week on Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:30p.m. to 6:45p.m. (The older group--U13 practices immediately afterwards).
All Homefield Hawks practices are at HomeField in Centerbrook. In April 2023, HomeField will move into its new three court field house located just steps away from its current location.
Our Practice Plans/Structure
All practices follow the same methodology and are divided into three parts:
The first third of practice is conditional--while executing basketball skills. (Like most college programs, we stopped "running the lines" several years ago because its more effective to condition the athlete while executing a basketball skill.)
The second third of practice are always fundamentals sessions, covering among other things, ball handling, shooting and defense (with an emphasis on becoming superb at man-to-man).
The final segment of practice is focused on competition drills--two-on-two or three-on-three play. We rarely scrimmage 5 on 5 because our philosophy at this level, the focus should be on fundamentals.
Our scrimmage partners are Vale/Middletown and those games/sessions are on practice dates.
AAU FAQs
What is AAU Basketball?
AAU basketball typically runs from early March through late June and then again from September through early November.
It is designed for the player who is trending toward making and starting on their high school teams (or chasing the hoop dream beyond high school).
What is AAU Schedule?
The schedule is tournament based—that is to say that each team typically plays three to four weekend tournaments in the spring season and trains during the week at Home Field. In the fall, the teams practice two days a week and play in two-three tournaments (as the point of the program is work on their fundamentals and learn "how-to-play"--not to just play in lots of games).
Players who make a ConnecticutBasketball @ Home Field AAU automatically become Home Field members and will have a place to train in addition to their sessions with the team.
Who are the coaches?
All coaches are former high school and/or college coaches and players. The Program is run by ConnecticutBasketball’s founder and League President, Gary Collins.
An information session will be held after each evaluation session.
Connecticut Basketball Community:
This Spring, the U12 HomeField Hawks (comprised of CTBBALL players from Groton, Westbrook, Madison, Guilford, Chester, Deep River and Essex) received 10 weeks of instruction on fundamentals and drills before heading to one of the most competitive tournaments in the greater New England area, Basketbull.
We didn't teach them a single offensive play; rather we taught them "how to play" by mastering their fundamentals, spacing on the court, and multiple ways to defend the basket.
Result: The HomeField Lady Hawks defeated two of the top programs in the region (Worcester United and SpringfieldBallers) in successive games to win the Basketbull Championship on their first ever attempt, underscoring that Fundamentals Make Champions.
All Home Field AAU players automatically become Home Field members which provides them with court access in addition to their sessions with their team.
Registration for Connecticut Basketball's annual Turkey Shoot on Nov. 25th-27th open!
This tournament will be played as follows:
1.Teams are placed in four team brackets.
2.Like a Holiday-Style tourney, the winners of the first two games play each other in the Championship game.The two losing teams play each other in the Consolation game
3.Most brackets particularly for those teams that are traveling long distances will be played on the same day in a two to three hour time-period.
The fee for the two games is $190 (You will be billed after your bracket has been filled.) Note: As with all ConnecticutBasketball travel play: all players from any Club or team must be from the same town and grade appropriate.
2022-23 ConnecticutBasketball Conference Winter League Game Rules
All games are governed by high school rules except for the following:
1. Game Logistics. Each game will be scheduled for 70 to 75 minute time slots. A 3-5 minute warm-up period will be allowed prior to each game. Teams are encouraged to stretch outside the gym before their game, if permitted by your host. You are likewise to start early whenever possbile.
2. Length of Game/Quarters. We do not play running time. You will play four 8 minute quarters. Halftime shall be no longer than 3 minutes (and is otherwise a long time out).
3. Ties. There are no ties.
a. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, two minutes shall be placed on the clock. The team ahead at the end of the two minutes is the winner.
b. Overtime will commence with a jump ball.
c. There are no timeouts in overtime—just play.
d. If still tied at the end of the two minutes, place another two minutes on the clock and repeat process until a winner is declared.
4. Fouls. Team fouls reset at the half as in CIAC play for all divisions.
5. Foul Shots. 4th-5th Grade Boys and 5th Grade Girls may shoot fouls 1 foot inside of the foul line (or to jump over the line). Referees are encouraged to call only blatant violations on the foul shooter at these ages.
6. Ball Size. 4th Grade Boys, 5th Grade Boys and all Girls divisions will use a 28.5” ball.
7. Time-outs. Each team shall be allotted one-full (60 second) and two 30 sec. time-outs per half. (No timeouts carry over.) There are no timeouts in overtime even if you have timeouts left over. Either coaches or players may call a time-out.
8. Mercy Rule. There is no mercy rule in Conference Tournament play but we ask that you be mindful that a team’s season is ending with a playoff loss and that good sportsmanship is appreciaed.
9. Referees. Board certified referees will officiate each game.
10. Coaches Conduct. If a coach receives a technical foul he/she must stay seated on the bench for the remainder of the game. If ejected from a game, the ejected coach shall coach any further in the tournament and serve a three game suspension at the beginning of next season.
11. Parents Conduct. Any parent who enters the court during the playing of the game—including the stoppage of play—shall, at the referee’s discretion, cause a forfeit of the game.
With thanks to the coaches, parents and players who were critical in helping us get the kids on the court and keep them there for the 2021-22 campaign, we turn the page to the 2022-23 calendar which is now set! See below.
We'll be back with a "full" calendar next season, which will include a full tourney schedule (adding back in our MLK Day Classic), our HS & Travel pre-season Turkey Shoot, HS Freshman post-season tourney, Travel All-Stars and much much more!
Three things for this month:
1. Connecticut Sun "First-Come First-Serve" Tickets Will Post Only on Our Facebook Page!
We will have Connecticut Sun tickets again--with no cost to our members--on our standard "First Come First Serve" basis but they will only post on our FaceBook page. Like us on FaceBook and watch for our ticket postings including for the May 14th home opener versus the Los Angeles Sparks.
Dec. 2, 2022: Connecticut Basketball 14th Regular Winter Season Tips-Off
Community Service Event: League-Wide Food Drive
December 25, 2022: X-Mas Day (Winter Recess Begins--No League Activities)
December 26-29, 2022: Connecticut Basketball Old School Holiday Tournament
January 1, 2023: New Years Day (Winter Recess Concludes--League Activities Resume 1/2/23)
January 17, 2023: MLKDay One Day Holiday Tournament
February 3-5, 2023:
Community Service Event: Coaches versus Cancer
February 17, 2023: President's Day -- AAU Evaluations
February 19, 2023: Connecticut Basketball Regular Season Play Concludes
February 21-26, 2023: Connecticut Basketball Opening Round NIT & NCAA Playoff Games
March 3-5, 2023: Connecticut Basketball Final Four and Championship Games
March 9-12, 2023: Connecticut Basketball Playoff Snow Dates
March 17-19, 2023: New England Basketball Championshipsin Providence-Tiverton, RI (for our Champions and Runner Up Teams to square off with the Champion and Runner Up Teams in New England).
March 21, 2023: Connecticut Basketball Winter Season Activities Conclude/AAU Season Begins
