Youth Basketball Thriving in SLP
If you want to play basketball, you’re lucky to live in Spring Lake Park School District 16. Youth basketball programs in the district are thriving, offering something for every age group and skill level.
Youth basketball is organized in three tiers: In-House (administered by the Blaine Spring Lake Park Athletic Association, Traveling (administered by the Spring Lake Park Traveling Basketball Club), and School Basketball (administered by Westwood Middle School and Spring Lake Park High School).
Recreational Basketball
In-house (recreational) basketball gives every child a chance to play basketball, whether they are complete rookies, or have years of experience. The program stresses fun, teamwork, and a positive attitude towards lifetime fitness. It’s open to children from 2nd to 8th grade. The girls season is from October through December, the boys from December to March. Teams are usually active two evenings per week, and games and practices are held in the early evening in the Blaine – Spring Lake Park area. For more information, see the contact information below.
Competitive Basketball
Traveling basketball is for kids who want to develop their basketball skills at a more competitive level – especially those who might want to basketball in high school and beyond. The Spring Lake Park Traveling Basketball Club has teams for 4th through 9th grade, with a focus on teaching basketball fundamentals, promoting team play, improving individual skills and having fun in order to promote a life-long enjoyment of the game of basketball. The club strives to do this in a competitive atmosphere where the lessons of basketball serve as a backdrop to education through sports. The SLPTBC is the only recognized traveling basketball club serving the Spring Lake Park school district, and their experienced Board, coaches, and volunteers have over a hundred years combined experience coaching and organizing youth basketball. Teams are organized in early September, and practices start in October. Most teams practice two evenings per week, and participate in about a dozen tournaments from November through March across the Metro area. The state championship tournament is in March.
One of the nicest things about the Spring Lake Park Traveling Basketball Club is the feeling of belonging that is experienced by players and their parents. It’s a great way for kids and parents to make lifetime friends around a common interest: basketball.
School Basketball
Middle school basketball is offered by Westwood Middle School for grades 6 though 8. Teams are open to anyone with an interest in playing, regardless of skill level. The season typically runs from October through December for girls, January through March for boys, and games are held right after school, across in the North Metro area. Bus transportation is provided.
The Spring Lake Park High School Athletics Department is led by Dave Alto, and offers a comprehensive basketball program for all high school grades, under the leadership of Grant Guzy (boys) and Josie Johnson (girls). There are teams for 9th grade, 10th grade (A and B), Junior Varsity and Varsity. Players are placed on teams according to skill, with try-outs to determine placement. Guzy and Johnson work closely with the Spring Lake Park Traveling Basketball Club to ensure a smooth transition for players moving up from traveling to high school ball. They provide workshops and coaching tips for SLPTBC coaches, and are active supporters of the program.
The registration deadline for Spring Lake Park Traveling Basketball is September 3, 2009.
For more information:
In-House: www.blspaa.org.
Traveling: Shelly Rushmeyer, President, Spring Lake Park Traveling Basketball Club, 763-783-8965. srushmeyer@comcast.net
Middle School: Westwood Middle School. 763-783-5407, www.splkpark.k12.mn.us/schools/wms/wms_athletics.asp
High School: Director of Athletics, Spring Lake Park High School, 763-785-5550. www.splkpark.k12.mn.us/departments/athletics.asp.