FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DEVELOPMENTAL LEAGUE AND THE TRAVELING TEAM?
The Traveling Team is a competitively-based program for boys in 3rd-grade through 8th-grade that participates in the Wisconsin Youth Basketball League and in tournaments that will require travel outside of the area. The D-League is a skill-based program for kindergarten through 3rd-grade kids to play against other kids within the community.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE ON A TRAVELING TEAM?
Boys in Grades 3-8 must be Grafton School District residents or attend a Grafton Public or Private School with the intention of attending Grafton High School to be eligible to tryout for a grade-specific team.
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HOW DO YOU PARTICIPATE ON A TRAVELING TEAM?
All players, new and returning, must attend a tryout session to be placed on a team.
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WHAT IF A PLAYER CAN NOT ATTEND THE TRYOUT?
Please contact the Director at director@graftonhoops.com
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HOW MANY TRAVELING TEAMS ARE THERE PER GRADE LEVEL?
A second team at any level may be established if there are enough players AND coaches to make this additional team. During the 2021-22 season, there were enough players and coaches for two teams at each grade level and teams were split equally by talent (and position) with the exception of the 8th-grade which was split into an A and B team. Teams will be re-equalized each year at tryouts.
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HOW ARE COACHES ASSIGNED?
The Traveling Teams are typically coached by parents of kids on the team. During the 2023-2024 season, the 8th-grade team was coached by a non-parent coach.
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IS PLAYING TIME EQUAL?
This is a competitive program and the players are unlikely to play the same amount of time in every game. Coaches will look for opportunities to balance playing time during the course of the season. Coaches may determine playing time based on a player's ability, attitude, attendance, and participation in practice. Any amount of playing time during games is not guaranteed.
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WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF THE TRAVELING TEAM SEASON?
The season will begin with practices starting in early November and the season will conclude in March.
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HOW MANY GAMES WILL A TEAM TYPICALLY PLAY IN A SEASON?
Each team will play 14 - 16 games in the WYBL and an end-of-season tournament of 3-6 games. Teams may play in additional tournaments at the discretion of the coaches and players' families' commitment.
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WHEN ARE PRACTICES?
Practices usually begin in early November. The practice schedule is decided once teams are selected and coaches are assigned. This information will be distributed to families shortly after teams are selected. While one of our biggest challenges is securing gym space and times, our goal is to practice at least twice per week. All practices are at John Long Middle School or Woodview Elementary School. We maximize the time we are allotted but you will need to sometimes be flexible.
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IS THERE A PARENTAL COMMITMENT IF MY SON MAKES A TRAVELING TEAM?
It is the responsibility of the parent(s) to get their son to all scheduled practices, games, and tournaments.