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Evaluations

Tryouts are open to 4th through 8th graders who attend Orono Schools and/or are residents of the Orono School District.  Players living outside of the Orono School District and not attending Orono schools may also attend tryouts/be placed on an OBBA team, but will be required to present a waiver from their current school district.  Team placement is not guaranteed and will be based on overall numbers at respective grade levels.  Out-of-district players that do not attend Orono schools will not be placed on a top team. 

Evaluations / Tryouts

Tryouts will be used to form all 4th through 8th grade teams. There will be three primary sources of information to aid the evaluation process:

  1. Outside evaluators will be responsible for organizing the tryouts, evaluating individual players, and finalizing team formation.
  2. High school varsity coaches will attend the tryouts to observe and participate in the team formation discussions.
  3. When applicable, post-season player evaluations from the prior year will be evaluated as part of overall player score.

The Tryout Committee, in consultation with the Board, will be responsible for addressing any evaluation-related or roster size issues. OBBA board members will have no influence or input on player evaluations or team formations.

 

Tryout Process

  • Tryouts will consist of two (2) separate days (4th grade is only 1 day). Both tryout days are mandatory and parents are not allowed to attend any tryout sessions.
  • Players will be evaluated on the following:
    • Skills – ball handling, shooting, defending, moving without the ball, etc.
    • Athleticism – speed, quickness, stamina, coordination, etc.
    • Game Play – vision, anticipation, basketball intelligence, etc.
    • Intangibles – hustle, desire, communication, etc.

 

Team Formation

  • 4th grade:  If roster numbers allow for more than one team, teams will be parity teams as determined by the evaluators.
  • Teams in grades 5-8 will be formed to create competitive teams with similar basketball skill/talent levels. Teams will compete at the highest appropriate level based on team composition.
  • Team size (Grades 5-8)
    • OBBA will determine team size in consultation with the evaluators with the objective of creating the best possible environment for player development.
    • Because there are no “cuts,” final roster sizes will vary depending on overall player numbers for each grade.
    • While OBBA expects it will be a common occurrence, ensuring an equal roster size across a particular grade is not the sole determining factor of roster decisions.
    • When possible, OBBA will attempt to create an additional team to keep roster numbers at or below 10 players per team. This can include – in certain cases – combining players from different grades.

 

 

The following applies to ill and injured players or religious holidays:

  • The player must have registered prior to the regular registration deadline.
  • Players must notify the board as soon as possible.
  • The player must be able to complete tryouts and be ready to play by November 15th.
  • In the case of religious holiday/illness/injury during tryouts, the player will attend practice with the lowest level team in that grade level and be evaluated by someone the Tryout Committee designates.  If the player evaluates at a higher level, the player will then practice with the next highest team.  Following this practice, a determination will be made by the evaluator regarding team placement.
  • In the event a players’ injury prevents tryouts by November 15th, he or she will be evaluated upon his/her return based upon all factors available for consideration at that time, including player’s skill level, available spot on all team rosters, prior season’s evaluation (if available) in order to determine team placement.
  • The following applies to players missing tryouts for any reason other than religious holiday, illness or injury:
  • Players must be registered prior to regular registration deadline.
  • Registered players not attending tryouts must notify the board.
  • Absences from tryouts for reasons other than illness/injury will be addressed on a case by case basis. 
  • Players not attending both tryout dates for reasons other than those listed above run the risk of placement on the lowest level team.

 

Play up Requests

Players in 4th through 7th grades are eligible to play one level above their current grade level in school (i.e.: “play up”).  In order to qualify to play up, players must:

  • Inform the Board of intent to try out at higher grade level at least one week prior to tryouts
  • Receive approval by Board for request to try out at higher grade level
  • Attend tryouts for their current grade level and the higher grade level
  • Evaluate in the top 3 of the higher grade level during tryouts. If player is placed on team on a higher grade level team they must remain with that team.
  • Fees will be assessed based on grade level team player is placed on.
  • Trying out to play for a higher grade level will be inclusive of third grade players only when roster numbers in 4th grade warrant the need for additional players. Fees will be assessed based on grade level team player is on.

Players may never play at a grade level lower than their grade in school.