Welcome to WHBA Season 16 which runs Nov. 19-April 9th. Students in grades 3-8 are invited to play basketball at the WHS Gym on Whitney Avenue. Please wear sneakers and bring a basketball (labeled with the student’s name), if you have one. All registered students are welcome regardless of ability to play or ability to pay.

Season Kickoff Clinics

At the kickoff clinics, parents can ask questions about how to register, and students can check out what practices are like, informally try out for the travel team if interested and have fun:

·       Grades 3-4: Tuesday, November 19, 5:45-7pm

·       Grades 5-6: Monday, November 18, 6-7:30pm

·       Grades 7-8: Wednesday, November 20, 6-7:30pm

Regular Season Practices

There are no practices during the week of Thanksgiving (with the exception of students in grades 5/6, who will practice Monday, Nov. 25) or when school is closed for inclement weather or holidays. Regular practices begin the first week in December and end on a date to be determined by coaches (mid-March or early April):

·       Grades 3-4 – Tuesdays, 5:45-7pm

·       Grades 5-6 – Mondays, 6-7:30pm; Thursdays, 6-7pm (when no games)

·       Grades 7-8 – Wednesdays 6-7:30pm; Fridays, 6-7:30pm (when no games)

Travel Team Games

Coaches will select a group to compete in citywide games. These game days and times are subject to change: Grades 3-4 – usually Thursdays or Fridays at approximately 5:30; Grades 5-6 – usually Thursdays at approximately 5:30; Grades 7-8 – usually Fridays at approximately 5:30.

Registration Open In November – Due by December 2^nd

Register: online at here--use the links on the right side of the page. Registration is due by Dec. 2^nd. There are three steps to register: (1) fill out the medical waiver (please email it to gowhba@gmail.org or turned in to WHS office); (2) fill out online registration form using the links to the right; and (3) pay online or bring payment to the WHS office.

Cost: The cost is $60 for students on the travel teams or $40 for students just practicing. If payment is a hardship, please let us know so we can waive the fee.

Thank you: to all coaches and parents! This is an all-volunteer parent-led program. We need more coaches, especially on Tuesdays—please let us know if you are willing to help out!

Questions? Josiah Brown (josiahbrown@yahoo.com) or Millie VandenBroek (goWHBA@gmail.com)

Season 15 Concludes with Appreciation

The WHBA is grateful to the families and players who made possible another successful season of this volunteer enterprise in 2018-19, the fifteenth year of the league. Kids developed their skills and sportsmanship while having fun. They experienced challenges of overcoming disappointment and becoming more resilient. They cultivated teamwork and friendships.

Grades 3 and 4 benefited from the coaching of James Forman Jr., who led the intramural squad, and Sheldon Hay--the WHBA Coach of the Year for 2017-18 who proved in 2018-19 that he could lead the team to a winning record in City Parks and Recreation competition!

Additional thanks to Millie VandenBroek and Matt Grossman, who were named MVPs (Most Valuable Parents) for the entire WHBA this year. Matt was one of the Grades 3/4 coaches, while Millie served as the league's co-commissioner for the second straight year!

Grades 5 and 6 were coached by Paul Van Tassel and Josiah Brown. Coach Paul mainly worked with the team, which won three games and competed closely in others including a one-point loss to Edgewood in which the WHS group valiantly overcame a 10-point deficit only to be defeated by a last-second shot. Josiah worked with several intramural players, who showed spirit and patience as they cultivated their skills, and supported Paul in coaching the team.

Grades 7 and 8 adjusted impressively to an early-season coaching change. Coaches Marc Wortman and Reggie Savage rallied an experienced team that displayed character and skill in competing (and often winning) against several of the city's top teams--in part through a pressing style of defense that rattled opponents. The team celebrated with not only a season-ending party but also a game that brought together classmates at WHS, with the valued support of Principal Gethings.

Until 2019-20...