3rd Grade Boys
New Canaan Travel Preparation Program
Winter 22-’23
REGISTER HERE
Overview
Experienced, professional coaches will run a fundamental basketball skills and games program for 3rd grade New Canaan boys from November 2022 through early March 2023. The primary objectives of the program are to introduce the boys to skill work and full-court play, and to start to prepare them for New Canaan’s Middle School Travel Basketball program, which begins in 5th grade. Spots will be limited to 22-24 players.
Evaluations take place the week of October 31st; practices begin in mid-November, and the season ends in early March.
Mike Evans, a former varsity head coach and NCAA Division 1 assistant, and a former semi-pro, college and high school all-state player, will oversee this foundational skills-based program that also includes intrasquad games and games against other towns’ teams. Mike’s website for basketball instruction can be found here.
Evaluations
While limiting roster spots at such a young age may be perceived as controversial, keeping an effective player-to-coach ratio is vital for learning and advancement. This program is designed for players with some previous experience playing basketball, and for players who demonstrate age-appropriate or advanced fundamental competencies.
Curriculum + Schedule
The program will follow a strict curriculum, the features of which include but aren’t limited to ball-handling, defense, shooting, passing and in-game concepts. There will be two practices per week in Norwalk at St. Mary’s Church and 1 game per week on Saturdays at the Wilton YMCA. The teams will play games in a league that features teams from other Fairfield County town teams.
Cost
The cost - which includes reversible jersey, professional coaching, referee fees and facility rental, is $695 per player.
Schedule
Evaluation Schedule - Parents must refrain from entering the gymnasium.
***Attendance at 2 of the evaluation sessions at a minimum is strongly encouraged***
We will host three evaluation sessions to accommodate the fall sports schedule.
Session 1: Wednesday, November 2nd, 5:30-7:00pm
Session 2: Friday, November 4th, 5:30-7:00pm
Session 3: Monday, November 7th, 5:30-7:00pm
Location: 669 West Avenue, Norwalk - St. Mary’s Church (access to gym via parking lot behind church, which is on Chapel Street).
Weekly practices will be Mondays & Fridays from 5:30pm to 7PM at St. Mary’s in Norwalk. Games will be Saturdays from 12PM to 2PM at the Westport Y.
General Season Schedule
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Week
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Activities
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Notes
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Nov 2 - Nov 7
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Evaluations and Team Selection
We will balance the teams as evenly as possible
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Nov 8th
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Team rosters are communicated to parents (if multiple teams)
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Nov 11, 14, 16, 18
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Optional skill sessions for players
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We will try to have these take place during normal practice times.
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Nov 21
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First official practices
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We do understand that the holiday week may disrupt boys’ availability. We ask for clear and early communication on this.
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November 28 -
December 2
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Official practices
Times + Days TBD
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December 3
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Light scrimmaging + skills
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At Westport YMCA.
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December 5-9
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Practices
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December 10
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First official games
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At Westport YMCA.
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December 12-16
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Practices
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December 17
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Games
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At Westport YMCA.
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December 19-23
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Practices
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December 24 - Jan 1
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Holiday Break - No Basketball
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January 2 - 6
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Practices
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January 7
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Games
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At Westport YMCA.
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January 9-13
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Practices
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January 14
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Games
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At Westport YMCA.
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January 16-20
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Practices
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January 21
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Games
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At Westport YMCA.
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January 23-27
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Practices
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January 28
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Games
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At Westport YMCA.
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January 30 - Feb 3
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Practices
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February 4
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Games
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At Westport YMCA.
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February 6 - 10
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Practices
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February 11
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Games
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At Westport YMCA.
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February 13 - 17
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Practices
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February 18 - 26
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Winter Break - No Basketball
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February 27 - March 3
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Practices
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March 4
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Final Games
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At Westport YMCA.
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