Connecticut Basketball Community  

February 6, 2022

It's Super Bowl week which signifies the regular season winding down and the playoffs to start heating up.  Three things for Super Bowl Week!

1. Playoff Seedings and Bracket Adjustments.    Please take a moment to review our seeding guidelines posted in August, December and January (see below) and specifically note that some NCAA and NIT brackets have to be adjusted for a number of reasons, i.e. some Clubs have two teams in the same division (and the two teams can't be on the same side of their brackets), gym limitations, coaches conflicts, etc.   
2. Please Promptly Post Your Scores before The Super Bowl Kicks Off.  Your team will be assigned to either an NCAA or NIT bracket (see below for details) depending on your record as of February 12, 2023 at 5:00p.m.   Accordingly, we need for your to record your scores before The Game kicks off (so that we can post your bracket on Monday, February 20, 2023).    If you don't post your scores, we awesome you won the game that has the missing score.
3. Wear Your Jersey on Sunday  Coaches and parents are encourage to wear their favorite football jersey this weekend.  As Tom Brady is finally retired, we have lifted the League-wide ban on Tom Brady Jerseys. 

Onward Together!

Connecticut Basketball!

Playoffs Fact Sheet​​​

Eligibility. All teams playing a mininum of ten games during the regular season are eligible and automatically qualify for our playoffs.  You do not need to take any specical action.  You will be assigned to either an NCAA or NIT bracket (see below for details) depending on your record as of February 12, 2023 at 5:00p.m.. See below.  The playoff brackets post on Selection Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 5:00p.m.

Dates.  Per the League calendar, the dates of our playoffs are as follows:

• February 21-26, 2023:   Connecticut Basketball  Opening Round NIT & NCAA Playoff Games
• March 3-5, 2023:   Connecticut Basketball Final Four and Championship Games 
• March 9-12, 2023:   Connecticut Basketball Playoff Snow Dates
• March 17-19, 2023:   New England Basketball​
  • ​Note: If you are not available to play on the date the game is scheduled, it shall be declared a forfeit

Format & Seeding. 

• Single Elimination.  This is a single elimination tournament. 
• NCAA and NIT Brackets.  All teams are placed in one of two brackets (1) Nutmeg Cup for Amazing Athletes ("NCAA Tourney") (for teams that finish above .500) or (2) the Nutmeg Invitational Tourney "NIT" for teams that finish with .500 or below records.
  • Note: a team that finishes below .500 may request through their Club President to play in the NCAA.​

Seeding Methodology. 

1.    The League will generate brackets and seed teams in a matter that is in the best interests of the League, always accounting for team and gym availability.

2.    Each team shall be assigned a seed based upon their won/loss record.

3.    The first tie breaker is head-to-head competition.  The second tie-breaker is fewest points allowed.

4.    The two worst teams in each bracket will play one another in a “play in” game.

5.    The winner of the “play-in” game will feed into the bottom of bracket, i.e. the lowest remaining seed in the bracket.  (The winner of the play-in game will not play the No. 1 seed because it’s never a competitive game in youth basketball.)

6.    Again, it bears worth repeated (because the top seeds always seem to raise this issue: the top seed will NOT play the lowest seed in the opening round—because its not a competitive game.  Please do not ask us or raise issues on this topic.  It has been reviewed by the Club Presidents and the League and we are in alignment on this.

                                                   Playing At Home

1.    If you are the higher seed, we will accommodate your request to play at home IF you have gym slots before the playoffs before January 1, 2023 and communicate the same to your Club President.

2.    The League reserves the right the move any game, including the Final Four & Championship Games to a neutral site.

                                       iii.     Small & Large Brackets

1.    The League reserves the right to either break up the larger brackets into Small (Class S/M) and Large (Class L/LL) and will do so when circumstances allow.

Connecticut Basketball Family:

As the calendar turns and we head into the final calendar month of regular seasson play, there is much to be excited about including Super Bowl Sunday: Wear Your Non-Tom Brady Jersey, All-Stars and Conference Playoffs but this week is about one thing and one thing only:

Coming together to battle cancer and to save lives.

Since 1991, the cancer mortality rate has dropped 29%. That’s 2.9 million fewer deaths from cancer during that time, thanks in part to breakthroughs in research and improvements in early detection and treatment. All of the work of the American Cancer Society and the critical progress made in the fight against cancer is fueled by your generosity. 

Please consider the following to support our efforts and Annual Pink Out!

1. Donate to Help Save Lives.  Our League page is open on the American Cancer Society's website.  You can make a team or individual contribution by simply clicking on this link:  https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?fr_id=101370&pg=team&team_id=2616251  All funds go directly into the ACA's account.
2. Wear Pink This Weekend! .  If you are not able to make a donation, please just wear pink t-shirts, pink socks or pink wristbands during the weekend of Feb. 3rg-5th, to show our solidarity with those who are trying to win the battle with cancer!  
3. Post Your Pictures on our FaceBook Page!  Please post your pinkout pictures on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ctbball.org/

Thank you again for your support!

Keep Rebounding!!

Onward Together!!!

Gary Collins

Connecticut Basketball League President

What is Coaches Versus Cancer?

Coaches Versus Cancer is our annual campaign--to benefit the American Cancer Society.

This community service initiative begins in January and culminates on Febuary 4th-6th with our annual PINKOUT. 

One hundred percent of the donations go directly to the American Cancer Society (and are actually deposited directly in the ACA's account.)  See below.  

How Do I Participate in Coaches Versus Cancer?

(i) Wear Pink Feb. 4th-6th!  All parents players and coaches wear pink the weekend of Feb. 4th-6th (with some teams donning pink warmups and pink t-shirts beneath their jerseys) to show our support for every person (and family) affected by cancer.

(iI) Individual Contributions We ask all individuals in the greater Connecticut Basketball Community to make a tax dedeductable contribution at whatever level is appropriate.  Again, when the contrinbute is made, it goes directly into the American Cancer Society's account.

(iiI) Team or Club Contributions   Some teams (and Clubs) elect to bundle their contributions and make the as a Team or Club.  (Porltand Travel Basketball has made the first contribution in 11 out of the last 12 years.) 

And don't forget!  We posted our playoff fact sheet last week and add it again below.

See you soon.

Onward Together!

Connecticut Basketball!

What is Coaches Versus Cancer?

Coaches Versus Cancer is our annual campaign--to benefit the American Cancer Society.

This community service initiative begins in January and culminates on Febuary 4th-6th with our annual PINKOUT. 

One hundred percent of the donations go directly to the American Cancer Society (and are actually deposited directly in the ACA's account.)  See below.  

How Do I Participate?

(i) Individual Contributions We ask all individuals in the greater Connecticut Basketball Community to make a tax dedeductable contribution at whatever level is appropriate.  Again, when the contrinbute is made, it goes directly into the American Cancer Society's account.

(ii) Team or Club Contributions   Some teams (and Clubs) elect to bundle their contributions and make the as a Team or Club.  (Porltand Travel Basketball has made the first contribution in 11 out of the last 12 years.) 

(iii) Wear Pink Feb. 4th-6th!  All parents players and coaches wear pink the weekend of Feb. 4th-6th (with some teams donning pink warmups and pink t-shirts beneath their jerseys) to show our support for every person (and family) affected by cancer.

(3) Playoffs!

Last week's update (which is still posted on our website) included details regarding our upcoming NCAA and NIT playoffs!  As noted, please be sure to update your scores as we assume that a team with an unreported score won the game in question (which effects seeding and your bracket placement).

Keep rebounding!

Onward Together!!

See you on the court!!!

Connecticut Basketball 

Feburary 2, 2023

1. Connecticut Basketball Coaches & Community:

As we have many new coaches and teams who are unfamiliar with All-Stars and how it works.  We're are going to continue to provide detailed information regarding All-Stars and how it works at the end of each update.

Three things for today.

1. Player Registration is Open.  Please remember--only your Club can approve and nominate your son or daugther for All-Stars (the nomination deadline is extended to Thursday, Feburary 9, 2023 at 5:00p.m.).  Stated a different way, you are not permitted to just show up at All-Stars and be placed on a team as we would regretably have to communicate that your son or daughter cannot play.
2. Player Registration Link. You can register your Club approved All-Star by clicking on the following link:  http://assn.la/Reg/?r=1:326135
3. Game Updates.  After your Club approved All-Star is registered, you will receive communciations directly from the League--and your All-Stars Coach.

Please review the details below regarding All-Stars as it will likely answer any question you might have.

We look forward to seeing the kids on the court!

Onward Together

Connecticut Basketball   

What is All-Stars? 

• All-Stars is not mandatory.  It is optional.
• The point and goal of All-Stars is to:
  • Reward Excellence and the kids that have worked hard to set themselves apart from their peers.
  • Enable kids to meet and play with kids from different communities and environments.
  • Provide the kids with some insight on what it means to be a leader.
• Our League President typically gives each team a talk regarding the "Three Things That All Great Leaders Must Learn and Do." 

When is All-Stars? 

• All-Stars Monday, February 20, 2023 (President's Day)

Where is All-Stars? 

• All-Stars will take place either at the Connecticut Sports Center in Wallingford or Boys & Girls Club in Bristol (and will be confirmed in the next two weeks).

How is a player selected for All-Stars? 

• Parents are not permitted to sign their kids up for All-Stars without going through the All-Star selection process. 
• Only your Club can approve and nominate your son or daugther for All-Stars (the nomination deadline is Thursday, Feburary 9, 2023 at 5:00p.m.), you will then go to the CTBBALL website to "register" your child for the All-Star Classic.
• The League will not--under any circumstances--comment, judge or review a town's selections.  However, the recommended selection process--which is only guidance--is as follows: 

As with all Connecticut Basketball Events, the website is the mechanism that will ensure we stay organized and all players are able to be assigned to their team, receive important game information and get connected with their All-Stars coach. 

Thank  you for all you do for our kids and our League! 

Connecticut Basketball 

Tentative All Stars Schedule (Subject to Change)

ARRIVAL TIME: 45 minutes prior to game for: (1) photos; and (2) coaches' chalk talk.

• Court 1: 4th Grade Boys 
• Court 2: 4th Grade Girls

• Court 1: 5th Grade Boys 
• Court 2: 5th Grade Boys
• Court 3: 5th Grade Girls 

11:00a.m.         

• Court 1: 6th Grade Boys 
• Court 2: 6th Grade Boys 
• Court 3: 6th Grade Girls

• Court 1: 7th Grade Boys 
• Court 2: 7th Grade Boys 
• Court 3: 7th Grade Girls 

• Court 1: 8th Grade Boys 
• Court 2: 8th Grade Boys 
• Court 3: 8th Grade Girls

Connecticut Basketball Coaches:

As the calendar turns to February next week, the hopes of more than 200 teams to capture a crown has begun to stir.

To audment our communications regarding our playoffs and how they fee into the New England Championships, plese note: 

• ​​Connecticut Basketball's Conference Tournament/Playoffs begins Febuary 21st and concludes on Sunday March 6, 2023. (The snow dates for our Championship Games are March 10th-12.
• The New England Championships in Rhode Island are the following weekend, March 17-19th in Tiverton, Rhode Island.  (Connecticut Basketball's does not run the New England Championships but rather feeds its qualifying teams into that Tournament.)
• There are three ways to qualify for the New England Championships:
  • advance to the Championship game in any of Connecticut Basketball's Tournaments, including the Turkey Shoot
  • win or place second in your Connecticut Basketball regular season; or
  • advance to the Championship Game of the Connecticut Basketball Conference Tournament.

Details regard the New England Championships can be found here:  https://www.statebasketballchampionship.com/new-england

Our region's Represenative for is Chase Gardiner (chase@statebasketballchampionship.com)

Onward Together!

​​Connecticut Basketball

2022-23 Connecticut Basketball Conference Winter League Game Rules

  All games are governed by high school rules except for the following:

1.      Game Logistics. Each game will be scheduled for 70 to 75 minute time slots. A 3-5 minute warm-up period will be allowed prior to each game. Teams are encouraged to stretch outside the gym before their game, if permitted by your host.  You are likewise to start early whenever possbile.

2.      Length of Game/Quarters. We do not play running time.  You will play four 8 minute quarters.  Halftime shall be no longer than 3 minutes (and is otherwise a long time out).

3.      Ties. There are no ties.

a.       If the score is tied at the end of regulation, two minutes shall be placed on the clock.  The team ahead at the end of the two minutes is the winner.

b.      Overtime will commence with a jump ball. 

c.       There are no timeouts in overtime—just play.

d.      If still tied at the end of the two minutes, place another two minutes on the clock and repeat process until a winner is declared.

4.      Fouls. Team fouls reset at the half as in CIAC play for all divisions.

5.      Foul Shots. 4th-5th Grade Boys and 5th Grade Girls may shoot fouls 1 foot inside of the foul line (or to jump over the line). Referees are encouraged to call only blatant violations on the foul shooter at these ages.

6.      Ball Size.  4th Grade Boys, 5th Grade Boys and all Girls divisions will use a 28.5” ball.

7.      No Pressing Rules in the 4G and 4B Divisions (2022 Rule Change).  There is no pressing in the 4G and 4B Divisions, Specifically this means:

Following a defensive rebound or a steal resulting in the creation of an offensive possession, the opposing team must retreat beyond half court and play standard  defense.

There is no double teaming allowed outside the 3 pt area.  

If 2 or more players are swarming or playing pressure defense to a given player outside the 3 pt line, the referee will issue a warning, then a technical foul.

In the last two minutes of each half, full court defense is allowed as long as a team is not ahead by more than 10 points. 

8.      Time-outs.  Each team shall be allotted one-full (60 second) and two 30 sec. time-outs per half.  (No timeouts carry over.) There are no timeouts in overtime even if you have timeouts left over. Either coaches or players may call a time-out.

9.      Mercy Rule. There is no mercy rule in Conference Tournament play but we ask that you be mindful that a team’s season is ending with a playoff loss and that good sportsmanship is appreciaed.

10.      Referees. Board certified referees will officiate each game.

11.  Coaches Conduct. If a coach receives a technical foul he/she must stay seated on the bench for the remainder of the game.  If ejected from a game, the ejected coach shall coach any further in the tournament and serve a three game suspension at the beginning of next season.

12.  Parents Conduct. Any parent who enters the court during the playing of the game—including the stoppage of play—shall, at the referee’s discretion, cause a forfeit of the game.

* A copy of these rules be present at each game site.

Connecticut Basketball Coaches:

One of your important game day responsibilities--in addition to ensuring you have a bookkeeper and clock keeper for your game--is to post your score after the game is complete.

This is critical to help us monitor team strength for competitive balance as well as making sure our standings are correct for playoff seeding, etc.

Recording your score on the website is a simple five step process.

Step 1:  Sign Into Your Account

Step 2:  Navigate to Your Team Page

The screen that will appear should look as follows:

Step 3:  Click The "Results" Tab on the Left Side of Your Team Page

The screen that will appear will look as follows:

Step 4:  Scroll Down to the Game For Which the Score Needs to be Entered and Click the Yellow Icon to the Right.

The screen that will appear will look as follows:

Step 5:  Enter the Score in the "Points" Field Beneath the Team Name.  (See above) Then hit "submit" at the bottom and your score will then appear on your team page and on the black scoreboard on the homepage!

Connecticut Basketball Community

As we kick off the 2022-23 campaign, there are many new parents, coaches and Club leaders. 

In light of all the new faces, we thought it would be helpful to review how to change a game.

There are three key principles (and steps) to keep in mind when changing a game.

First, try to never cancel a game and figure out a way to play.   Our culture is to never cancel.  Please play with 5 and put a jersey on the family dog if necessary but do not cancel.  Cancellations are the number 1 reason, teams/clubs are not invited back.  Cancellations create numerous problems for your host and/or home gym so please assess whether there’s any way to play the game.

Second, if you absolutely must cancel (or change) a game, the steps are as follows:

1. Call/Contact Your Opponent.  The first step is to call your opponent and try to come to an agreement as to when the game can be played.  (All contact information is on the website on their team page.)

2. The Host Cost Should Then Contact Their Club’s Scheduler (or President).  Your Club’s scheduler (or President) will advise regarding the open gym slots—that will not cause a conflict.  To view your Club’s (or any Club’s) gym slots all you need do is:

   1. Click on the “FACILITIES” tab on the website.

   2. Scroll down to the facility in question.

   3. When you find the facility you’re looking for, click the small gray icon to the far right.  All gym slots for that facility will be instantly displayed..   

3. Changing the Game.  To actually change the game:

   1. Stay in the view from Step 2 in which you are viewing all the venues games.

   2. Go to the game in question and click on the yellow icon to the left of the game.

   3. A screen like the one below will appear.  All you need do is use the drop downs to change the venue, time or opponent (who will all appear in each drop down). 

   4. When you’re done, click SUBMIT at the bottom of the page and the game is changed.  Please note: If the boxes above the SUBMIT button are check, the change will go to all interested parties including players and parents. 

   5. In the rare and extreme case in which a game must be cancelled, click on the "STATUS" icon and change the status to "CANCELLED".  The game will then appear with a red line through it signifying that its been cancelled.

Third, 0nly Schedulers, Club President’s and Team Leaders have security access to change a game.  Please contact our webmaster, Lotus Schwartz if you believe there is a concern regarding whether you have the right level of access.

Thank you for all you do on behalf of our kids and community!

Onward Together

Connecticut Basketball