What is the format of Open Gym?
Open Gym is a pre-season offering from the Club in which attendance is optional and the goals are to be inclusive and fun! Starting at the end of September, we have coach facilitators on hand to guide players in shaking off the rust, gelling with their friends, or preparing players interested in Travel try-outs. Boys and girls have separate 3rd/4th, 5th/6th, and 7th-9th grade sessions, with two sessions typically available per for week for each group. Runs for three weeks for 3rd-6th grade, and runs for six weeks for 7th-9th grade groups, both ending the week before their respective Travel try-outs weeks. Some additional details to be aware of:
10' rims
Encouraged to bring own basketball (size guidelines posted below)
Do not enter gym before posted time
Sign-in/waiver form will be on-hand and must be filled in
No child drop-off, but can arrange for another parent staying to be responsible for your child
No cost
What is the format of the Instructional Program?
HBBC's Instructional basketball program focuses on the instruction and development of basic individual skills and fundamentals. It is available to all HB residents in Kindergarten through 2nd grade and organized in four sessions: Co-ed for Kindergarten, 1st/2nd grade girls, 1st grade boys, and 2nd grade boys. It runs for ~10 weeks, December 3 until February 18 (except during holiday break), for 1.25 hour sessions on Saturday mornings. No make-up dates if sessions are canceled due to weather, facility conflicts, etc. All sessions are at one or more of our town gyms. The hoop height is 8' and the ball size is 27.5".
Planned 2022-2023 Schedule:
Kindergarten: 8:15am - 9:30am @ RMMS in Brookline
1st Grade Boys: 9:30am - 10:45am @ RMMS in Brookline
2nd Grade Boys: 10:45am - 12pm @ RMMS in Brookline
1st/2nd Grade Girls: 8:15am - 9:30am @ HUES in Hollis
What is the format of the Recreation Program?
HBBC's Recreation basketball program is for new and returning players with a continued focus on individual skills and fundamentals development while in a team-based environment. It is available to all HB residents in 3rd grade through 9th grade and organized by the following three grade levels: 3rd/4th, 5th/6th, and 7th-9th. Most grade levels have individual boys and girls teams. Assessments will be held for the purposes of team formation but all registered participants will be included (no cuts).
The Recreation season runs from November until February vacation, with one weekday evening practice and one weekend day game, both on the order of 1.25 hours long. All practices are held at one or more of our town gyms while games are played in town as well as away at local surrounding towns. We participate in the Souhegan Valley Basketball (SVB) league. Our Hollis Brookline Basketball Club helped found SVB in order to create a diverse and enriching experience for our Rec basketball players. Like previious seasons, other participating towns include Amherst, Milford, New Ipswich, Rindge (games played in New Ipswich), and Wilton. Review the SVB rules under Documents for hoop height, ball size, and other facts.
What is the format of the Travel Program?
HBBC's Travel basketball program
is for new and returning players with a continued focus on individual skills and fundamentals development while providing the additional challenge of top team competition. It is available to all HB residents in 3rd grade through 8th grade and organized by the following three grade levels: 3rd/4th, 5th/6th, and 7th/8th. All grade levels have individual boys and girls teams organized to play in divisions most appropriate for their level of competition within the travel
league HBBC participates in, the Manchester Suburban Basketball League (MSBL). Try-outs will be held for the purposes of player selection and team formation and could result in cuts.
The Travel season runs from mid-October through early March (with playoffs), with one practice and two games (home/away) each week, all on the order of 1 ½ hours long. All practices and home games are held at one or more of our town gyms while away games and tournaments are played at gyms in the Greater Manchester, NH area, as scheduled by MSBL. Review the MSBL rules under Documents for specifics.
What are the key differences between the Recreation Program and the Travel Program?
The key difference is court time for the player. Those extra touches and minutes on the court, whether receiving coaching or just playing, are valuable in this stage of development of skills, confidence, and enjoyment of the game. HBBC runs no-cost Open Gym sessions and Travel Try-outs ahead of Recreation even starting to encourage families to consider Travel as their first option for the reasons stated above. See the comparison table below:
My child plays on the Hollis Broookline Middle School basketball team; is he/she eligible to also participate in HBBC programs?
Yes. As an independently-run club, HBBC does not restrict Middle School players from also participating in Recreation or Travel basketball programs offered by HBBC, and as such, they have the opportunity to register and get assessed/try-out like any other prospective player.
Does HBBC offer financial assistance?
Yes. If a family is in need of financial assistance for a child to have the opportunity to play basketball, please contact us at
. HBBC can provide support, as needed, for expenses such as registration, uniform, and various other basketball-related items.
What size basketball should my player be using?
It actually depends on the program and level:
Size 5 / 27.5": Instructional, 3rd/4th Rec, and 3rd/4th Girls Travel - This is the standard youth basketball you'll find in most stores.
Size 6 / 28.5": 3rd/4th Boys Travel, 5th/6th Boys Rec, 5th grade and up Girls Rec and Travel, 5th/6th Boys Travel (D2 and lower) - This is also the official size for women’s high school, college, and pro basketball.
Size 7 / 29.5": 5th/6th Boys Travel (D1 only), 7th-9th Boys Rec and Travel - This is also the official size for men's high school, college, and the pros.
Since the Recreation and Travel uniform tops are reversible, with one side royal blue and the other side white, which color is worn for games?
HBBC teams will wear white as the "home" team. In most cases, blue will be used by an HBBC team playing "away", but rely on game-to-game guidance from the Head Coach as they should be coordinating with others towns' coaches before games.
What happens to a planned basketball event (practice/game) in Hollis or Brookline if there is no school?
The policy for the schools HBBC uses for our home gyms is that if the school is closed, then that school's gym is also unavailable for use. This applies during holidays and vacations as well as for school cancellations and early releases. Note - away Travel games may still be on based on the host town's gym availability so please refer to communication from the Travel Head Coach.
What is Friday Night Skills & Drills?
HBBC offers additional court time for our registered players to work specifically on skills and technique. Each session will be facilitated by volunteer coaches/parents. All sessions will be held at the Hollis Upper Elementary School (HUES) and offered starting the week after Thanksgiving through February 18th (except during Holiday break). Players are expected to bring their own basketball.
Session 1: 6pm - 7:15pm, 4th grade and below (K)
Session 2: 7:15pm - 8:30pm, 5th grade and up (9th)
My child plays on the Hollis Broookline Middle School basketball team; is he/she eligible to also participate in HBBC programs?
Yes. As an independently-run club, HBBC does not restrict Middle School players from also participating in Recreation or Travel basketball programs offered by HBBC, and as such, they have the opportunity to register and get assessed/try-out like any other prospective player.
