Connecticut Basketball Coaches:

As the calendar turns to February next week, the hopes of more than 200 teams to capture a crown has begun to stir.

To audment our communications regarding our playoffs and how they fee into the New England Championships, plese note: 

• ​​Connecticut Basketball's Conference Tournament/Playoffs begins Febuary 21st and concludes on Sunday March 6, 2023. (The snow dates for our Championship Games are March 10th-12.
• The New England Championships in Rhode Island are the following weekend, March 17-19th in Tiverton, Rhode Island.  (Connecticut Basketball's does not run the New England Championships but rather feeds its qualifying teams into that Tournament.)
• There are three ways to qualify for the New England Championships:
  • advance to the Championship game in any of Connecticut Basketball's Tournaments, including the Turkey Shoot
  • win or place second in your Connecticut Basketball regular season; or
  • advance to the Championship Game of the Connecticut Basketball Conference Tournament.

Details regard the New England Championships can be found here:  https://www.statebasketballchampionship.com/new-england

Our region's Represenative for is Chase Gardiner (chase@statebasketballchampionship.com)

Onward Together!

​​Connecticut Basketball

Connecticut Basketball Family:

Last season, I stopped by Coginchaug (Strong Middle School) during our annual pinkout weekend of Coaches v. Cancer to watch a girls game.

While the girls were warming up, a young boy sitting in the row in front of me asked his mother, "why is everybody wearing pink?"

His Mom turned to him and simply said, "Because people are sick and we're trying to help."

Our League's Executive Committee, Club Presidents and Coaches, thank you in advance for your support of our final Community Service initiave for the season, and offer three important things as our Annual Pinkout Approaches:

1. Donate to Help Save Lives.  Our League page is open on the American Cancer Society's website.  You can make a team or individual contribution by simply clicking on this link:  https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?fr_id=101370&pg=team&team_id=2616251  All funds go directly into the ACA's account.
2. Our Annual Pink-out is the weekend of February 3rd-5th.  If you are not able to make a donation, please just wear pink t-shirts, pink socks or pink wristbands during the weekend of Feb. 3rg-5th, to show our solidarity with those who are trying to win the battle with cancer!  
3. Post Your Pictures on our FaceBook Page!  Please post your pinkout pictures on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ctbball.org/

Thank you again for your support!

Keep Rebounding!!

Onward Together!!!

Gary Collins

Connecticut Basketball League President

What is Coaches Versus Cancer?

Coaches Versus Cancer is our annual campaign--to benefit the American Cancer Society.

This community service initiative begins in January and culminates on Febuary 4th-6th with our annual PINKOUT. 

One hundred percent of the donations go directly to the American Cancer Society (and are actually deposited directly in the ACA's account.)  See below.  

How Do I Participate in Coaches Versus Cancer?

(i) Wear Pink Feb. 4th-6th!  All parents players and coaches wear pink the weekend of Feb. 4th-6th (with some teams donning pink warmups and pink t-shirts beneath their jerseys) to show our support for every person (and family) affected by cancer.

(iI) Individual Contributions We ask all individuals in the greater Connecticut Basketball Community to make a tax dedeductable contribution at whatever level is appropriate.  Again, when the contrinbute is made, it goes directly into the American Cancer Society's account.

(iiI) Team or Club Contributions   Some teams (and Clubs) elect to bundle their contributions and make the as a Team or Club.  (Porltand Travel Basketball has made the first contribution in 11 out of the last 12 years.) 

And don't forget!  We posted our playoff fact sheet last week and add it again below.

See you soon.

Onward Together!

Connecticut Basketball!

What is Coaches Versus Cancer?

Coaches Versus Cancer is our annual campaign--to benefit the American Cancer Society.

This community service initiative begins in January and culminates on Febuary 4th-6th with our annual PINKOUT. 

One hundred percent of the donations go directly to the American Cancer Society (and are actually deposited directly in the ACA's account.)  See below.  

How Do I Participate?

(i) Individual Contributions We ask all individuals in the greater Connecticut Basketball Community to make a tax dedeductable contribution at whatever level is appropriate.  Again, when the contrinbute is made, it goes directly into the American Cancer Society's account.

(ii) Team or Club Contributions   Some teams (and Clubs) elect to bundle their contributions and make the as a Team or Club.  (Porltand Travel Basketball has made the first contribution in 11 out of the last 12 years.) 

(iii) Wear Pink Feb. 4th-6th!  All parents players and coaches wear pink the weekend of Feb. 4th-6th (with some teams donning pink warmups and pink t-shirts beneath their jerseys) to show our support for every person (and family) affected by cancer.

(3) Playoffs!

Last week's update (which is still posted on our website) included details regarding our upcoming NCAA and NIT playoffs!  As noted, please be sure to update your scores as we assume that a team with an unreported score won the game in question (which effects seeding and your bracket placement).

Keep rebounding!

Onward Together!!

See you on the court!!!

Connecticut Basketball 

Coaches v. Cancer

Connecticut Basketball Community:

On February 3rd-5th, 2023, our focus becomes singular: coming together as a League and community to battle cancer.

Our annual Coaches v. Cancer weekend is one in which every coach, parent, player and member of the Connecticut Basketball Community will be in pink for our annual PINK OUT! 

As to the teams, some will wear pink warmup t-shirts, other will have on pink head bands or wrist bands or socks--and still more will wear pink shirts under their jerseys.   The League also posts the link to our page on the American Cancer Society's website to raise funds--that go directly to the American Cancer Society.

Please take a moment over the course of the next month to remind everyone why we're all in pink on February 3rd-5th, 2023:

1. We honor those who have battled and fallen to this terrible disease.
2. We want to support those who are currently in engaged the struggle against it (and let them know they can win)!
3. We are committed to doing our part--through funding the American Cancer Society's research--to continue to lower the fatality rate of those fighting back against cancer.  

We thank you in advance for your help on this important community service initiative.

Onward Together

Connecticut Basketball 

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Coaches Versus Cancer FAQs

What is Coaches Versus Cancer?

Coaches Versus Cancer is our annual campaign--to benefit the American Cancer Society.

This community service initiative begins in January and culminates on Febuary 4th-6th with our annual PINKOUT. 

One hundred percent of the donations go directly to the American Cancer Society (and are actually deposited directly in the ACA's account.)  See below.  

How Do I Participate?

(i) Individual Contributions We ask all individuals in the greater Connecticut Basketball Community to make a tax dedeductable contribution at whatever level is appropriate.  Again, when the contrinbute is made, it goes directly into the American Cancer Society's account.

(ii) Team or Club Contributions   Some teams (and Clubs) elect to bundle their contributions and make the as a Team or Club.  (Porltand Travel Basketball has made the first contribution in 11 out of the last 12 years.) 

(iii) Wear Pink Feb. 4th-6th!  All parents players and coaches wear pink the weekend of Feb. 4th-6th (with some teams donning pink warmups and pink t-shirts beneath their jerseys) to show our support for every person (and family) affected by cancer.

Onward Together!!

See you on the court!!!

Connecticut Basketball 

2022-23 Connecticut Basketball 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.      No Pressing Rules in the 4G and 4B Divisions (2022 Rule Change).  There is no pressing in the 4G and 4B Divisions, Specifically this means:

Following a defensive rebound or a steal resulting in the creation of an offensive possession, the opposing team must retreat beyond half court and play standard  defense.

There is no double teaming allowed outside the 3 pt area.  

If 2 or more players are swarming or playing pressure defense to a given player outside the 3 pt line, the referee will issue a warning, then a technical foul.

In the last two minutes of each half, full court defense is allowed as long as a team is not ahead by more than 10 points. 

8.      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.

9.      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.

10.      Referees. Board certified referees will officiate each game.

11.  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.

12.  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.

* A copy of these rules be present at each game site.

Connecticut Basketball Community

As we kick off the 2022-23 campaign, there are many new parents, coaches and Club leaders. 

In light of all the new faces, we thought it would be helpful to review how to change a game.

There are three key principles (and steps) to keep in mind when changing a game.

First, try to never cancel a game and figure out a way to play.   Our culture is to never cancel.  Please play with 5 and put a jersey on the family dog if necessary but do not cancel.  Cancellations are the number 1 reason, teams/clubs are not invited back.  Cancellations create numerous problems for your host and/or home gym so please assess whether there’s any way to play the game.

Second, if you absolutely must cancel (or change) a game, the steps are as follows:

1. Call/Contact Your Opponent.  The first step is to call your opponent and try to come to an agreement as to when the game can be played.  (All contact information is on the website on their team page.)

2. The Host Cost Should Then Contact Their Club’s Scheduler (or President).  Your Club’s scheduler (or President) will advise regarding the open gym slots—that will not cause a conflict.  To view your Club’s (or any Club’s) gym slots all you need do is:

   1. Click on the “FACILITIES” tab on the website.

   2. Scroll down to the facility in question.

   3. When you find the facility you’re looking for, click the small gray icon to the far right.  All gym slots for that facility will be instantly displayed..   

3. Changing the Game.  To actually change the game:

   1. Stay in the view from Step 2 in which you are viewing all the venues games.

   2. Go to the game in question and click on the yellow icon to the left of the game.

   3. A screen like the one below will appear.  All you need do is use the drop downs to change the venue, time or opponent (who will all appear in each drop down). 

   4. When you’re done, click SUBMIT at the bottom of the page and the game is changed.  Please note: If the boxes above the SUBMIT button are check, the change will go to all interested parties including players and parents. 

   5. In the rare and extreme case in which a game must be cancelled, click on the "STATUS" icon and change the status to "CANCELLED".  The game will then appear with a red line through it signifying that its been cancelled.

Third, 0nly Schedulers, Club President’s and Team Leaders have security access to change a game.  Please contact our webmaster, Lotus Schwartz if you believe there is a concern regarding whether you have the right level of access.

Thank you for all you do on behalf of our kids and community!

Onward Together

Connecticut Basketball