Hillsdale Recreation Basketball

Hillsdale Recreation Basketball

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Built to Learn. Built to Play.

Hillsdale Rec Basketball is a youth basketball league by The Well Activity Center for ages 5–12. The league is designed to help kids learn the game, build confidence, develop skills, and gain real live-game experience in a positive environment. By combining skill development with structured 5v5 play, kids have the opportunity to better understand spacing, decision-making, teamwork, defense, and the flow of an actual game—helping prepare them for future school and competitive basketball seasons. With age-appropriate divisions, parent-led teams, a Hillsdale College kickoff experience, and a special finale for the older division, this league is built to make basketball both fun and developmental.

Choose your Division

Ages 5–8

(Generally Kindergarten–2nd Grade)

This division is designed to help younger players learn how basketball works in a low-pressure, developmental environment. Each session combines skill work with structured play, with coaches on the court helping teach, guide, and officiate.

Players in this division do not have separate weekly practices. Their participation dates are:
- October 18 — Hillsdale College Kickoff Skills Camp
- October 31
- November 7
- November 14
- November 21

Saturday sessions will run approximately 9:00–10:00 AM, with part of the hour focused on drills and skill development and the other part focused on structured gameplay.

Additional details:

Kindergarten plays on 7-foot hoops
1st–2nd grade play on 8-foot hoops
27.5" basketball
Scores are kept during games
No standings or win/loss records are tracked

Division placement: Most players in this group will be in Kindergarten through 2nd grade. If your child is 8 years old but currently in 3rd grade, they will play up in the Ages 9–12 division.

Ages 9–12

(Generally 3rd–6th Grade)

This division provides a more traditional recreational basketball experience with organized teams, weekly practices, hired referees, and live-game competition.

Players will typically have 1–2 team practices per week between October 18 and December 5. Practices are organized by parent coaches and may take place at The Well or another local gym if arranged by the coach.

Each team will play two games per official game day. Games are expected to begin around 10:30 AM, but exact game times will not be finalized until registration closes and we know how many teams are in each division.

When registration allows, divisions will be organized as:

9–10 Boys
9–10 Girls
11–12 Boys
11–12 Girls

We will schedule each division in a compact game block so families are not expected to be at The Well all day. Teams will have short breaks between games, and there will be transition time between divisions.

Additional details:

28.5" basketball
10-foot hoops
Hired local/professional referees
Standings tracked for informational purposes
Two games per game day
December 5 Hillsdale College Finale

Division placement: Most players in this group will be in 3rd–6th grade. If your child is 8 years old but currently in 3rd grade, they will play up in this division. If a child is older but still in 2nd grade, they will remain in the Ages 5–8 division.

Season Schedule

OCT 18
Kickoff Skills Camp | 5 pm - 6 pm
George Roche Sports Complex at Hillsdale College
Fun skill development and interaction with Hillsdale College players. No league games.

OCT 31
Halloween | Game Day 1
The Well Activity Center -
We know October 31 is Halloween, and we planned the schedule with families in mind. Games will be scheduled early enough in the day so kids still have plenty of time to head home, get ready, and enjoy their Halloween plans that evening.

NOV 7
Game Day 2
The Well Activity Center

NOV 14
Game Day 3
The Well Activity Center

NOV 21
Game Day 4
The Well Activity Center

NOV 28
Thanksgiving Break
No games

DEC 5
Hillsdale College Finale
Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena
George Roche Sports Complex
Ages 9–12 only. Players participate in a special halftime basketball experience during Hillsdale College home games.

Game times will be finalized after registration closes. Divisions will be scheduled in compact time blocks to help keep game days convenient for families.

Practice Schedule

Ages 9–12 only

Teams will typically have 1–2 practices per week
Practice days and times will depend primarily on parent coach availability and team availability
Practices will be scheduled between October 18 and December 5
Practices may take place at The Well Activity Center
Parent coaches may also arrange practices at another local gym if needed
The Well will provide basketballs and basic practice equipment
Coaches will receive a coach packet with league rules, playing-time expectations, practice guidelines, communication information, and emergency procedures

Practice schedules will vary by team and will be communicated through each team’s group chat after rosters and coaches are finalized.

The Ages 5–8 division does not have separate team practices. Their development takes place during the October 18 kickoff and their Saturday 9:00–10:00 AM sessions.

Registration Details

Ages 5-8 - $35 per player
Ages 9-12 - $75 per player

Ages 5-8 - Includes the Oct. 18 Hillsdale College kickoff, four developmental Saturday sessions, structured play, and a league jersey/top.

Ages 9-12 - Includes the Oct. 18 Hillsdale College kickoff, team practices, four official game days with two games per game day, hired referees, league jersey/top, and the Dec. 5 Hillsdale College finale.

Jersey Guarantee Deadline: October 4
Final Registration Deadline: October 11

Registration is accepted until coach/team capacity is reached. The Well will do its best to accommodate every player, but placement is not guaranteed.

Refund Policy: Once jerseys have been ordered, registration fees are non-refundable.

League Recap

Ages: 5–8 and 9–12
Price: $35 & $75 per player
Kickoff: Oct. 18 at Hillsdale College’s George Roche Sports Complex
Game Days: Oct. 31, Nov. 7, Nov. 14, Nov. 21
Thanksgiving Weekend: No games
Finale: Dec. 5 at Hillsdale College for ages 9–12 only
Practices: Ages 9–12 practice 1–2 times per week; ages 5–8 do not have separate practices
Coaches: Parent-coached league; The Well provides rules, equipment, and support
Game Times: Finalized after registration closes; divisions will be scheduled in compact blocks
Team Placement: Balanced by age/grade and experience; teammate/sibling requests considered but not guaranteed
Registration Deadline: Oct. 11
Jersey Guarantee Deadline: Oct. 4
Refunds: No refunds once jerseys are ordered
Communication: League updates by email; team communication by group chat

Why Join Our Recreation Basketball League?

Learn the Game

Kids get more than drills. They get real 5v5 experience. Players learn spacing, decision-making, teamwork, defense, and the flow of basketball so they’re better prepared for future school and competitive seasons.

Build Confidence & Sportsmanship

Basketball gives kids opportunities to communicate, compete, make mistakes, improve, and learn how to be a good teammate. We want players to grow in confidence while learning respect, effort, and sportsmanship.

Have Fun & Build Connections

The goal is for kids to enjoy basketball and want to keep playing. Through skill development, games, the Hillsdale College kickoff, and team interactions, players build friendships and create positive memories around the sport.