Basketball
Frequently Asked Questions Section half-way down page.
2019-2020 Registration Info
Registration Dates:
2nd – 8th Grades: September 28th – October 18th
K – 1st Grades: November 1st – 27th
*** No late registration will be accepted ***
To Register online click here or the image below:
To register in person:
Homewood Community Center Business Office
1632 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL 35209
Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:30pm
Age Groups:
Boy’s Divisions: Kindergarten / 1st Grade / 2nd Grade / 3rd Grade / 4th Grade / 5th Grade / 6th Grade / 7th Grade / 8th Grade
Girl’s Divisions: Kindergarten / 1st Grade / 2nd Grade / 3rd Grade / 4th Grade / 5th Grade / 6th Grade / 7th Grade
* Divisions are subject to be combined based on levels of participation *
* Kindergarten and 1st Grade divisions subject to Co-ed combinations based on level of participation *
Program Fee:
2nd-8th Grades: $90 Homewood Residents / $180 Non-Residents
Kindergarten & 1st grade: $50 Homewood Residents / $100 Non-Residents
Rules
2019-2020 HWD Parks Rec Basketball Rules
OTM Basketball
1st Grade OTM Basketball Selections for 2019-2020
2nd Grade OTM Basketball Selections for 2019-2020
3rd Grade OTM Basketball Selections for 2019-2020
4th Grade Boys Team Selections for 2019-2020
Over The Mountain Basketball Guidelines
For Homewood Participation
Homewood Parks and Recreation is proud to offer a number of youth sports and recreation opportunities for all people to gather, celebrate, and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, and community.
In 2012 the Homewood Park Board agreed to work with OTM basketball and its participating teams. Homewood Parks and Recreation does not currently work with any additional outside basketball groups.
The Over The Mountain (OTM) Basketball League is a community-based basketball league operating in the Over the Mountain area of Birmingham. The league’s purpose is to provide an opportunity for more highly skilled basketball players to play more competitive basketball while preserving community recreation leagues in the over the mountain communities. OTM is unique to traditional AAU programs in that the team members from each community must all live in the same zoned school district for the community, or all feed into the same high school.
At each grade level, there are twelve (12) teams. Generally, Homewood fields two teams in each age group. There is not an option for a third team. We do not identify the two participating teams as an “A” and a “B” team.
We believe the OTM league should be used as a tool to develop a strong pool of players that will have the opportunity to pursue middle and high school basketball. In order to achieve this goal, an evaluation process will be used to select players for the two teams (Instituted in 2018 for 2nd and 3rd grade; will increase by one grade each year until 2021 when all participating grades will be included). Once selected, players will be split into two competitive/balanced teams. Our hope is that this will foster an environment of support amongst the teams and the community, an opportunity for growth amongst all the players involved, and a realization that the pool of players may/will change over time, as will the individual teams.
– All OTM Players will be required to participate in Homewood Parks Recreational Basketball League.
– Teams will have between 8-10 players.
– Teams will wear uniforms selected by Homewood Park.
– Teams will pay all required fees.
– Teams can practice up to twice per week during the designated season for 1.5 hours each time.
– Teams are expected to practice at least one of the practices together, in order to encourage growth, player development, and support of each other and the community.
*Making an OTM team does not guarantee a spot on future teams (including the middle and high school), nor does it guarantee playing time.
Homewood Youth Basketball Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If my child does not make the 7th grade team will they still have time to register?
A: Yes, registration for these age divisions will remain open until after tryouts.
Q: When and where are Evaluations?
A: All evaluations will be held at the West Homewood Athletic Center (123 West Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL 35209
– 2nd Grade Boys – Wednesday, October 30th @ 5:30pm
– 3rd Grade Boys – Wednesday, October 30th @ 6:45pm
– 4th Grade Boys – Saturday, November 2nd @ 9:00am
– 5th Grade Boys – Saturday, November 2nd @ 11:00am
– 6th – 8th Grade Boys – No Evaluations
– 2nd & 3rd Grade Girls – Saturday, November 2nd @ 10:15am
– 4th & 5th Grade Girls – Saturday, November 2nd @ 10:15am
– 6th & 7th Grade Girls – No Evaluations
– Kindergarten and 1st Grade Divisions – No Evaluations
Q: Is placement on a team guaranteed?
A: Yes, as long as you register your child before the registration deadline.
Q: Can team placement requests be made?
A: Yes, but only head coaches child(ren) and siblings are guaranteed.
Q: Can my child play in a higher age group?
A1: Contact: Matt Collins (Boys Divisions)
A1: Contact: Matt Collins (Girls Divisions)
*see below for contact information*
Q: What size basketball does each grade division use?
A: 27.5 youth size / 28.5 women’s size / 29.5 men’s size
– Kindergarten – 27.5
– 1st Grade – 27.5
– 2nd Grade Boys – 28.5
– 3rd Grade Boys – 28.5
– 4th Grade Boys – 28.5
– 5th Grade Boys – 28.5
– 6th & 7th Grade Boys – 29.5
– 2nd & 3rd Grade Girls – 28.5
– 4th & 5th Grade Girls – 28.5
– 6th & 7th Grade Girls – 28.5
Q: When will practices begin and where do they take place?
A1: (2nd-7th grade teams) Most teams will begin practice the first week of November 2019. Teams typically practice once or twice a week on weeknights at the Homewood Community Center, West Homewood Athletic Center, Lee Center, Edgewood Elementary, Hall-Kent Elementary, Shades Cahaba Elementary, or Homewood Middle School. Your child’s coach will contact you with the specific location, date, and time. The younger age groups are encouraged to practice during the earliest available time frame.
A2: (Kindergarten & 1st Grade – Developmental Leagues) will begin the first week of January 2020. These age groups will not have a scheduled practice during the week. Instead, they will have a 30 minute practice on Saturdays followed immediately by a game; game/practice locations TBA.
Q: When do the league games begin?
A1: 2nd-7th grade games will begin on or around the first weekend of December 2019. Actual start dates will depend on registrations and gym availability.
A2: Kindergarten & 1st Grade league games will begin January 2020.
Q: When are the games played?
A1: Mostly Saturdays during the regular season games depending on gym availability games could be played between 9am – 5pm. We may play a few weeknight games this season depending on gym availability.
A2: During the end of the season tournament there is a chance that some games could be scheduled during the week.
Q: How long is the Youth Basketball season?
A1: (2nd– 7th grade) the season usually begins in early November and runs through late February.
A2: (Kindergarten & 1st grade) 8 weeks – early January thru late February.
Q: What does the registration fee cover?
A: Jersey, shorts, referees and awards for teams finishing in 1st and 2nd place. All K-1st graders playing in the coed developmental league will receive an award.
Q: What type of shoes does my child need?
A: We prefer high top basketball shoes.
Q: Does this league travel to play games?
A: Our goal is for enough girls and boys to register so that we can have enough teams in each age group so that teams do not have to travel to play games. However in past years, sometimes the girl’s teams have had to travel to Vestavia and/or Trussville. 7th grade boys may also travel at times.
Q: How can we help so that we don’t have to travel to play games?
A: Recruit children to play (especially girls).
Q: I would like to be a Head Coach or an Assistant Coach, What do I need to do?
A1: Contact – Matt Collins
A2: While registering your child online be sure to check on his/her form that you would like to coach.
Q: Who do I contact if I would like more information about OTM (Over the Mountain) basketball league?
A: Jakob Stephens – jakob.stephens@homewoodal.org
Q: I have a question that is not addressed above. What should I do?
A: see contact information below
For additional league information please contact:
2nd – 7th Grade Boys Questions: Matt Collins @ matt.collins@homewoodal.org (or) 332-6713
2nd-6th Girls / Kindergarten & 1st Grade Questions: Matt Collins @ Matt.collins@homewoodal.org (or) 332-6713
Athletic Coordinator: Jakob Stephens: 332-6709 (or) jakob.stephens@homewoodal.org