We hope this message finds you well! As we gear up for another exciting season of HOOPSWOOD basketball, we have provided detailed information regarding tryouts, team announcements, and the practice schedule for the upcoming season.
We will hold multiple tryout dates to give every athlete ample opportunity to showcase their skills, work ethic, and team-first mentality. Attendance at as many sessions as possible is highly encouraged for a full evaluation. These session times will not conflict with Homewood High School football games.
Each session will involve skill work, competitive drills, and controlled scrimmage situations. Our coaching staff—including Coach Garrison, Coach Jackson, and members of the high school and middle school coaching staff—will evaluate athletes across multiple criteria.
Hoopy Halloween Tournament:
Players will participate in the Hoopy Halloween tournament October 25-26. This tournament will serve as the final evaluation for player placement for the season. Hoopy Halloween rosters will not reflect the final teams.
Tournament teams will practice on Wednesday, October 22 to prepare for the Hoopy Halloween tournament.
Final HOOPSWOOD team rosters will be announced on October 27.
Following the Hoopy Halloween Tournament, our coaching staff will carefully review evaluations to create competitive teams.
OTM/Vulcan League
Each age group will have two teams of 8-10 players that will compete in the OTM and Vulcan Leagues this Winter. 2nd and 3rd grade teams will NOT play in the Vulcan League, only OTM.
HOOPSWOOD Development Program
We do not believe in cutting youth players - we believe in developing them. Any players that are not selected to either of the two OTM/Vulcan League teams will still play competitive basketball. We do not intend to send these teams to North Shelby this season. Instead, players will receive HOOPSWOOD-directed coaching in weekly practices and will play in competitive games with uniforms and referees and some scrimmages with neighboring teams.
We are committed to ensuring all players are placed where they can develop and contribute to competitive basketball in this community. Because of the unknown number of players in each age group, several details are not available at this time. However, the greater the number of players, the greater the opportunity for an internal competitive league here in Homewood.
Once teams are announced, practices will begin the following week. Exact practice times will be communicated closer to the start of practices.
Both OTM/Vulcan teams within each age group will practice during the same time slot, but on separate courts within the same facility. This allows for consistency and convenience for families while giving each team dedicated court space.
Practice plans will be thoroughly designed by Coach Garrison, Coach Jackson, and the high school coaching staff to ensure every minute in the gym is productive and focused on skill development, team concepts, and player growth.
Cost:
To register your player, please do so through this Ryzer LINK.
The initial cost is $250. The deadline to register is September 10.
If your player is selected to a team that plays in the OTM and Vulcan Leagues, an additional payment of $150 ($100 for 2nd and 3rd grade) will be required, and we will send that link separately to those teams. These fees include uniforms provided through Bandwagon*, tournament and league entry fees, facility costs and maintenance, and access to HOOPSWOOD nights at the high school games during the season.
* Sizing guides are available HERE. You will provide your player’s sizing information on the registration link above. This will allow us to have uniforms ready in time for competitive play.
If you are interested in coaching your player’s team, please fill out this Google Form (LINK). Prospective coaches will also need to attend our HOOPSWOOD Coaching Clinic. This is a great opportunity to hear directly from Homewood High School’s staff on the specific drills and skills needed to implement our system at your team’s age level.
Coaches will be selected by Coach Garrison and Coach Jackson. This will be communicated out the week of the Hoopy Halloween Tournament.
In the coming weeks, we will send additional information regarding:
Feel free to forward this email to any families in Homewood who you think would like to participate in competitive basketball this season - we would love to add them to our growing distribution list.
An email regarding the upcoming GIRLS HOOPSWOOD season is coming soon as well.
We appreciate your commitment to HOOPSWOOD basketball and your support in making this season a great experience for all players.
If you have any questions at this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
We look forward to seeing your son in the gym soon!