Updated Friday, July 3, 2009

 

MCBA’s 2009 playing season came to an end with the completion of our tournament on March 7.

 

Visit us again in September-October for registration and details about our 2010 playing season, which begins immediately after the New Year’s holiday.

 

 

Summer Basketball Camps…

 

Most of our players live in the Bell, Birdville and Trinity HS attendance zones.  Each school’s varsity basketball coach held a summer skills camp in June.

 

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram publishes a “Recreation Calendar” every Tuesday in the Sports Section with camp information (other high schools, colleges, private instruction).

 

 

Click HERE for a preview of our advertising flier for the 2010 season.  Dates and site are firm; fees will be determined this summer.

 

By the way, if you would like to try your hand at improving this flier we’d be delighted to send you our source document.  It’s in Microsoft Word format.  No “advertising professional” has ever touched our efforts at attracting kids (and their parents) with this; we simply dust off what seems to be “attractive” year after year.  We’ll print something over 15,000 copies in September, in black and white on pastel paper, for wide distribution primarily to first thru eighth grade kids in their classrooms in the H-E-B ISD.  Send a note to info@midcitiesbasketball.com with your comments, request for source, or your submission.

 

 

Rule (and Bylaw) Change Proposals…

 

On September 19th, at the annual members’ kickoff meeting, proposals for changes to MCBA’s rules will be offered for consideration.  These must be submitted to MCBA’s secretary, in writing, for distribution to the members (head coaches and board of directors) with the mailed notice of that meeting.  Click HERE for the preferred format and instructions.

 

As proposals are received they are published for discussion.  Click HERE to read them.  Send your comments to info@midcitiesbasketball.org.  Your comments may lead to revisions to proposals or even their being withdrawn (run it up the flagpole to see who salutes it!).  The last revision (minor editing) was Friday, June 5.

 

 

The National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) announced rule changes for the upcoming season.  Click HERE to see them.  There does not appear to be anything that materially affects MCBA’s program (it’s unlikely we’ll resort to instant replay in our tournaments!).  They have also provided a description of the coming season’s “points of emphasis” which should be of interest to coaches.  Click HERE to see them.

 

 

Annual Meeting…

 

The annual members’ meeting was Saturday, April 4, 2:00pm at the Hurst Recreation Center.  Major items on the agenda:

§         Treasurer’s report:  Income equaled expenses, so we ended the year with a positive bank balance similar to the start of the season.

§         Election of officers for 2009-2010.  Click HERE for MCBA’s Board of Directors

§         Recap and discussion of 2009 (teen volunteers as scorers and timers, rebate from photographer, for example).

§         Plans for 2010.  The calendar of events is listed below.

§         There will be “coaches’ exhibition games” this season, likely the seventh weekend, coordinated by Dee Zuniga.

§         Discussion of how we might do a better job forming teams in the fourth and sixth grades.

o        During the next few months members of the board of directors will see how “experience level” of players new to MCBA (and other players in the blind draw) might figure into the player draw (a new team might get players with “experience” instead of “the next kid randomly picked from the hat”).  The board is working with “raw numbers” from the 2009 season, showing the effect of “experience” (an estimate based on when a player first registered with MCBA) on team standings:  Click HERE for the Excel spreadsheet, click HERE for a printable PDF version.   YOUR ideas are welcome.  Contact Jim Griffin, President, mcba_president@midcitiesbasketball.org.

§         Discussion of how we might do a better job forming Senior League teams, including whether or not to invite “made teams.”  During the next few months members of the board of directors will see how “consensus” might be more specific, including ALL of the following possibilities:

o        “Made teams,” consisting entirely of players from the same grade and school (a “school team”).

o        “Made teams,” consisting solely of players that played together in the Major League the year before (or as many as wish to move up to the Senior League together with their coach) with the remainder “unattached players” (walk-ins at registration, for example) distributed equally to similar teams.

o        Allowing a coach to have up to FIVE “protects” with the remainder “unattached players” distributed equally to similar teams.

o        YOUR ideas are welcome.  Contact Brad Brackebusch, Senior Boys Commissioner, mcba_comm_sb@midcitiesbasketball.org.

§         Discussion of whether or not to continue trying to form Senior Girls teams.  Yes, we will continue to try to form Senior Girls teams.  “Advertising” will be stepped up.

§         Discussion of how to better implement the “half a game, every game” rule.

o        Over the next few months the board of directors will consider (among other things) having the head coach mark the scorebook before a game begins with the “guaranteed” quarters or half-quarters in which each player will participate in order to accumulate the required time.  This is somewhat similar to the NFHS rule that requires the coach to submit his/her roster and starting lineup before game time.  That scheme would still allow total flexibility AFTER the guaranteed playing time is allocated.  Click HERE for the current proposal up for discussion.  YOUR ideas are welcome.  Contact Jim Stuyck, Rookie Boys Second Grade Commissioner, mcba_comm_rb2@midcitiesbasketball.org.

 

 

Calendar for Next Season…

 

MCBA’s calendar typically uses the H-E-B ISD school calendar as a guide, adjusting our schedule to begin following Winter Break and end with a week to spare before Spring Break.  For the MCBA 2009-2010 calendar, click HERE.  We anticipate:

 

§         Annual kick-off members’ meeting September 19 (rule change proposals, practice site assignments, registration and advertising help, etc.).

§         Player registration October 10, 13, 17, 20 and 24 with, perhaps, another Saturday (November 7) for late registration.

§         Player draw (team formation) around November 21.

§         Absolutely the last day to register, December 5, to fill out rosters up to 8 players per team.

§         Practice begins Monday, January 4, 2010

§         Games on each Saturday from January 9 thru February 27, 2010.

§         Team/individual pictures the second and third Saturdays of the season.

§         Coaches’ Exhibition Games the seventh Saturday of the season.

§         Post season tournament (March Madness) from Sunday, February 28 thru Saturday, March 6, 2010.

§         A wrap-up members’ meeting for election of officers at a date to be determined in April.

 

Exact dates of those (and other) events may change due to school activities (such as TAKS testing).

 

League

Sportsmanship Scholarship

Coach of the Year

Rookie Girls

Emma Perkins – Lady Mavericks

Gary Bishop – Heat

Rookie Boys First Grade

Rhett Howe – Panthers

John Joe – Lakers

Rookie Boys Second Grade

Cameron Lamphere – Red Devils

A.T. White – Heat

Junior Girls

Hailey Newman – Mystics

Greg Hawkins – Bobcats

Junior Boys Third Grade

Cannon Gowe – Ants

Jonathan Herrera – Suns

Junior Boys Fourth Grade

Eric Zuniga – Celtics

Brewster Billings – Celtics

Major Girls Fifth Grade

Blair Kenney – Bobcats

Marty Unger – Red Hots

Major Girls Sixth Grade

Ashley Koontz – Comets

Kerri Rowe – Wildcats

Major Boys Fifth Grade

Joshua Jonalagada – Mavs

Curtis Cole – Mavs

Major Boys Sixth Grade

Jessy Silva – Warriors

Gavin Sanchez - Mojo

Mike Fielder – Spurs

John McGee – Mojo

Senior Boys Grade

Ben Ruby – Celtics

Kasee Slagle – Longhorns

Eric Northey – Raiders

 

Sportsmanship scholarships are awarded annually in the memory of Louise Koontz, former Junior Girls’ Commissioner, and Bill Rippy, long-time MCBA President.  Recipients are invited to return for the 2010 season without paying a registration fee, if they have eligibility remaining (not yet in the 9th grade).

 

 

  Our web site has a search engine feature.  Try it:  Click HERE to search MCBA’s Web Site.  A new window will open.

 

This search engine scans thru the files on the web site “now,” which makes updates (especially additions) show up immediately.  A search for “bobby smith” might take about 15 seconds.

 

 

  MCBA has published Frequently Asked Questions for about ten years.  It may be that they have evolved into “what MCBA would like for you to know” more that what potential players and their parents want to ASK.  Here’s your chance to comment.  Click HERE to review the 2009-2010 DRAFT version.  For a printable version of the proposed 2009-2010 FAQ, click HERE.  If you have a comment or suggestion, please send a note to info@midcitiesbasketball.org with your thoughts.

 

 

Thinking ahead to October registration and the 2010 season, RETURNING players’ options based on current MCBA rules (reference:  MCBA Rules 2.0 and 3.0):

 

   The 2009 season’s first graders (RB1, some RG) normally stay together in the second grade Rookie League (RB2 or RG), but may be reassigned.  Second grade teams are formed by “consensus” of the commissioner and coaches with “neighborhoods” and “buddies” given maximum consideration.

   The 2009 season’s second graders (RB2, some RG) form NEW teams in the third grade Junior League (JB3 or JG).  No more that TWO “protected players” per team and the rest thru a “blind draw” WITHOUT regard to “buddy” or “car pooling” preferences.  NO EXCEPTIONS, no refunds if you’re not on the same team as your buddy.

   The 2009 season’s third graders (JB3, some JG) normally stay together in the fourth grade Junior League (JB4 or JG).  A returning player, with his/her parent desiring to be a HEAD coach, may become the first “protected player” on a NEW team.  Any other RETURNING player may “go back into the blind draw” which is his/her ONLY option, NO EXCEPTIONS.  In other words, if you played on “team A” this season, and you wish to be on another team with another coach, you must “take your chances in the draw.”

   The 2009 season’s fourth graders (JB4, some JG) form NEW teams in the fifth grade Major League (MB5 or MG5).  No more that TWO “protected players” per team and the rest thru a “blind draw” WITHOUT regard to “buddy” or “car pooling” preferences.  NO EXCEPTIONS, no refunds if you’re not on the same team as your buddy.

   The 2009 season’s fifth graders (MB5 and MG5) normally stay together in the sixth grade Major League (MB6 or MG6).  A returning player, with his/her parent desiring to be a HEAD coach, may become the first “protected player” on a NEW team.  Any other RETURNING player may “go back into the blind draw” which is his/her ONLY option, NO EXCEPTIONS.  In other words, if you played on “team A” in this season, and you wish to be on another team with another coach, you must “take your chances in the draw.”

   The 2009 season’s sixth graders (MB6 and MG6) are encouraged to register for the Senior League (SB or SG) in October.  Just how many players register – the “numbers” – will determine if there are separate seventh and eighth grade leagues.  Whole teams of returning MCBA players may register and, IF THERE IS CONSENSUS that “this is a good thing,” they will stay together.  However, a coach may “protect” no more than TWO players.  Teams will be formed in the best interests of as many players as possible, trying to level the playing field.  This process is “inexact” and MCBA is receptive to inquiries.

   The 2009 season’s seventh graders (some SB) probably stay together in the Senior League (SB), if they wish.

   The 2009 season’s eighth graders (some SB) have completed their eligibility to play with MCBA.  Good luck making your ninth grade school teams.

 

NEW players (those that did not participate in MCBA during the 2009 season) enter the grade-appropriate/gender-appropriate league, either through the “blind draw” or as a “protect” (subject to the limitations of protected players).  The Frequently Asked Questions contain an outline of how the “blind draw” is conducted.

 

Note that rule changes will be proposed in September (for adoption by the members) to include “experience,” in addition to “height,” in the “blind draws” for the Junior and Major Leagues and “experience” in the guidelines used for obtaining “consensus” among the coaches when teams are formed for the Senior Leagues.  Watch for (and comment on) rule change proposals as they are introduced.

 

 

For our Frequently Asked Questions (2008-2009), click HERE.  For a printable version of the FAQ, click HERE.

 

 

 

 

To avoid some problems that come up from time to time, we plan to place this poster at each game site during the 2010 season.

 

 

Click HERE for 2009 Tournament Schedules, Scores and Information (last season)

 

Click HERE for 2009 Regular Season Game Schedules and Scores by League (last season)

 

Click league below for team rosters for the 2009 season including each team’s individual game schedule.

 

RB1 - Rookie Boys, First Grade

RB2 - Rookie Boys, Second Grade

JB3 - Junior Boys, Third Grade

JB4 - Junior Boys, Fourth Grade

MB5 - Major Boys, Fifth Grade

MB6 - Major Boys, Sixth Grade

SB - Senior Boys, Seventh and Eighth Grades

RG - Rookie Girls, First and Second Grades

JG - Junior Girls, Third and Fourth Grades

MG5 - Major Girls, Fifth Grade

MG6 - Major Girls, Sixth Grade

 

Click HERE for the complete list of players for the 2009 season.

 

Click HERE for the list of coaches for the 2009 season.

 

Click HERE for the list of the teams for the 2009 season.

 

 

 For MCBA’s 2009 annual budget, click HERE.  Since adoption, the price per uniform jersey was reduced by $2 each, the cost of “awards” was reduced considerably, and cash donations from major sponsors were reduced by $1000.  The net effect on the budget is roughly $2000 greater “net surplus” for 2008/2009 (a total surplus of about $4 per player).  Click HERE for the unofficial update.

 

 Click HERE for a registration analysis over the past fourteen seasons.  Click HERE to see where our players attended school the past five years.

 

 We routinely produce a Quick Status Report from our records following key events (a day of registration, for example, or ordering team jerseys).  Click HERE for end-of-season status reports for the last five seasons.

 

 

MCBA has a number of informational materials for reference:

 

Document

HTML Version

PDF Version

MCBA’s Bylaws

Click

Click

MCBA’s Rules

Click

Click

Player Draw Rule Explanations

Click

Click

Rookie League Rules Summary  

Click

Click

Junior League Rules Summary

Click

Click

Major League Rules Summary

Click

Click

Senior League Rules Summary

Click

Click

Coaching Box Rule

Click

Click

Player Participation Policy

Click

Click

Criminal Background Check Policy for Coaches

Click

Click

MCBA’s Awards Policy

Click

Click

Post-Season Tournament Notes

Click

Click

Background information about our tournaments

Click

Click

Rules and Conduct at Practices

Click

Click

Reference for Clock Keepers and Scorekeepers

Click

Clock Keepers

Scorekeepers

A simple check list for MCBA coaches

Click

Click

Often Heard Gripes (by kids!)

Click

Click

Nonschool Use of School Facilities

Click

Click

Calendar of Events

Click

Click

Practice Session Selection Memo

Click

Click

School Map

Reference material primarily for MCBA’s Commissioners

Click

Reference

Compensation

Reference material primarily for MCBA’s Coaches

Click

Click

Discussion of uniform colors and numbers

Click

Click

Credit Card Policy

Click

Click

 

Most of the items listed above, and several others, are included in Reference Information for MCBA’s Coaches and Officials, 2008-2009 Season.  Click HERE for the cover, click HERE for the content.  This is in “booklet” form, intended to be printed on both sides of the paper, folded and stapled (the pages appear out of order unless printed the way designed).  Head coaches receive a copy at the time of team formation.

 

Similarly, we are working on Reference Information for MCBA’s Coaches and Officials, 2009-2010 Season.  Click HERE for the cover, click HERE for the content.  This is “work in progress” and includes updates for the next season, speculation that rule changes and policy changes WILL BE accepted, new graphics, editorial changes and so on.  This is a good time to see if there’s something missing, for example, and let us know.

 

  Some documents are available only in Adobe Acrobat format:

 

 Coaches’ Application Form  (tentative, subject to review by Board of Directors)

 Player Registration Forms – Use the GIRL’S Form or the BOY’S Form to avoid mistakes (things happen!)  (tentative, subject to review by Board of Directors)

 “Block” a Team or Coach

 Scholarship Policy and Sample Form

 

 National Federation Instructions for Scorers and Timers

 National Federation Basketball Signals

 National Federation Basketball Uniforms Specifications

 National Federation 2009-10 Basketball Rules Changes

 National Federation 2009-10 Points of Emphasis

 National Federation Basketball Court Diagram

 National Federation Technical Foul Penalty Summary

 

 Worksheet to help plan player substitution and playing time   Click HERE for a completed example  (these may change following policy review this summer)

 

 For MCBA’s voting members (the 2008/09 season’s head coaches and board members), click HERE.

 

Note:  We do NOT post team rosters on the Internet that include personal information (phone numbers, addresses, etc.).

 

 

  If you have a question for MCBA, send us a note by clicking HERE and we will attempt to get you an answer.  Realize that responses are rarely immediate so, please, be patient.

 

 

  MCBA’s Board of Directors  Comments to individual officers/commissioners can be sent via e-mail links.

 

Comments about this web site are always welcome.  Send the “webmaster” a note by clicking HERE.

 

 

  MCBA rents the facilities of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District.

H-E-B ISD waives gym rental fees ($20 per player in recent seasons) for all “scholarship” recipients attending District schools (100 or so youth annually).

Unless specifically altered, the basketball rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) are followed.

·     Use this link to order the 2009-2010 Basketball Rules Book (provided free to new head coaches at the time of team formation in November).  [Item #: BKRB10; Retail Price: $7.20 plus shipping; Available July, 2009.]

 ALL coaches are certified thru the National Association of Youth Sports (NAYS).

·     Use this link to find out about the Coaches Certification Program (NYSCA) (fees are paid by MCBA for coaches that register timely).

  Dick’s Sporting Goods, in Northeast Mall, is a substantial Association Sponsor.

 

 

 

Get Adobe Reader Logo  Many of the forms/documents MCBA uses are available in PDF so that, no matter your computer system, they can be printed in a uniform way.  Click on the Get Adobe Reader icon for a free download.

 

Intente chascar en la bandera de España para una traducción al español.