The goals of the Junior Basketball League are to provide the highest quality fun, positive learning environment for basketball skill and personal character development. To this end, the JBL encourages good sportsmanship (founded on VABA's Core Values), the proper teaching of basketball fundamentals and a greater sense of purpose beyond basketball. Ultimately, the JBL aims to "light the fire," inspiring young athletes to fall in love with the game of basketball.

This is a recreational league. However, beyond just participating or playing the game, the JBL provides an environment where devoted, professionally-trained coaches and young athletes can sincerely focus on developming fundamental skills. Ultimately, VABA's goal is to strive toward maximizing participants' potential on and off the court while developing a love for the great team sport of basketball.

There are two (2) boys divisions for grades 1-2 and grades 3-4 and two (2) girls divisions for grades 1-2 and 3-4.  Within the boys 3rd-4th grade division, if appropriate, upper and lower divisions may be formed based on ability.  Teams are formed based on the public school district where athletes attend school. All teams, comprised of 10 players each, taken on a first come first serve basis, are divided based on the public middle schools where they would be districted to attend (also applies to private and home-schooled students). The JBL ("Junior League") is not run directly by the schools, the middle schools, or their athletic directors and coaches. Games and practices take place at local elementary and middle schools.

Two (2) Boys Divisions: Grades 1-2, 3-4 (possibly 3rd/4th grade division divided based on ability, if appropriate)
Two (2) Girls Divisions: Grades 1-2, 3-4
Four (4) teams per school/mascot per division (see participating districts below)

ARCHANGELS (CCS): Charlottesville Catholic School
BLACK KNIGHTS (Charlottesville HS): Burnley-Moran, Clark, Greenbrier, Jackson Via, Johnson, Venable
CARDINALS (Free Union): Free Union School
DRAGONS (Greene County HS): All Greene County Schools
EAGLES (Covenant): The Covenant School
FLUCOS (Fluvanna Co): All Fluvanna County Schools
HORNETS (Orange): All Orange County Schools
HORNETS (Wilson Memorial): All Wilson Memorial Schools
LIONS (Louisa Co): All Louisa County Schools 
LIONS (Regents): Regents School, Home-school
MUSTANGS (Monticello HS): Mountainview, Red Hill, Scottsville, Stone-Robinson, Stony Point
PANTHERS (Peabody): Peabody School
PATRIOTS (Albemarle HS): Agnor-Hurt, Baker-Butler, Broadus Wood, Greer, Hollymead, Stone-Robinson, Stony Point, Woodbrook
SAINTS (St. Anne's Belfield): St. Anne's Belfield School
WARRIORS (W.Albemarle HS): Crozet, Brownsville, Meriwether Lewis, Murray
Small PRIVATE SCHOOLS (w/ no HS): Field, Village, Waldorf, etc.

*All private schools must have enough participants from their school to form a school team - otherwise, they will be placed within their public school district. 

*Registrations are accepted first-come, first serve, accepting the first 40 registrants (per age-group, per mascot).
*All new athletes who sign up (40 / age-group / mascot) will take part in an "Evaluation Day" in the fall in order to create balanced teams. Coaches & assistant coaches will have some input to team selection along with a draft process. Interested in being a head or assistant coach? Please email us today!
 

*Do you attend a Private School? If so, please attend the Evaluation Day that matches your "public school district."  If unsure if you will have enough participants from your private school, encourage others in your school to participate!  A minimum of 8 players is required, along with a coach.  

*If you are unable to make it to your assigned evaluation day, please check the altermate date provided AND call or email and so we are prepared for your attendance. It is best if you can attend on your assigned date.

"GIRLS NIGHT OUT"
Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 @ Monticello HS

• Grades 1-4 (4:00pm-6:00pm)
  Pizza Party - all ages (6:00-7:00pm)
• Grades 5-8 (7:00pm-9:00pm)

-->for ALL GIRLS REGISTERED OR INTERESTED IN PLAYING BASKETBALL THIS WINTER!
-->Required for all girls who are registered!
-->Open to anyone who wants to attend (grades 1-8)
-->Invite a friend or a classmate! 

*13+ week program (10+ games, 1 practice/week)
*Full & Partial Scholarships Available - apply today!
Boys: Grades 1 - 2, Grades 3 - 4
Girls: Grades 1 - 2, Grades 3 - 4
Teams are formed on a first come, first serve basis. There are only 40 spots available for mascot teams for each grade division (4 teams of 10 will be formed for each). For questions or more info, please email info@playvaba.org or call 434-806-3436.

REGISTRATION Opens July 1! (Make a deposit to hold your spot as roster spots are limited)
Click here if interested in the VDBL (Grades 5-8)

GIRLS GROUPED TOGETHER:
See "Girls Night Out!" (GNO) Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022

BOYS GROUPS:
GROUP 1 = Warriors (Western District)
GROUP 2 = Mustangs, Louisa Lions, Flucos, Panthers, Eagles, Black Knights/JBL
GROUP 3 = Patriots, Dragons, Archangels (CCS), Saints, Bears (CDS), Lions (Regents)

JBL 1/2 Boys:
Group 1 (Last names A-L): Wednesday, 9/7/22 @ Brownsville 6:45pm-8:15pm
Group 1 (Last names M-Z): Thursday, 9/8/22 @ Brownsville 6:45pm-8:15pm
Group 2: Thursday, 9/15/22 @ Mountain View 6:45pm-8:15pm
Group 3: Thursday, 9/22/22 @ Greer 6:45pm-8:15pm

JBL 3/4 Boys:
Group 1: Friday, 9/9/22 @ CHS 6:00pm-8:15pm
Group 2: Friday, 9/16/22 @ CHS 6:00pm-8:15pm
Group 3: Friday, 9/23/22 @ CHS 6:00pm-8:15pm

All dates/times subject to change (check website for updates) - all registrants receive a personal email invitation, so please check your email for official notification and up-to-date details.  

It is required for all Boys participants to attend a minimum of one (1) evaluation (All Girls must attend the Girls Night Out).  Unlike past seasons, there will NOT be a Parent Orientation Presentation.  Parents will be sent an online version of the presentation which will be required viewing for all parent/guardians.  Parents will have until November 1 to view the video.  All those on a WAITING LIST should attend the evaluation.

•  Trained Coaches/Coaches Clinics: All JBL Head Coaches are professionally trained, through a series of "Coaches' Clinics," on a specific basketball curriculum of Coaching Ethics, Defensive and Offensive Play. All coaches are volunteers. Team Managers and coaches are typically parents of participants. Parents assist with the running of game operations and serve to help support the league mission. There is no charge for JBL coaches to attend these clinics.

• Evaluations: All participants are expected to attend ONE EVALUATION (this is where the learning begins). All evaluations are included in the price of the league.

• Full-time League Director: The Virginia Basketball Academy provides a full-time league director who is entrusted with running the league.

• 10-12 Games: Games are played on Saturday mornings/afternoons/evenings.  Usually teams play one (1) game per week (unless a division has an odd number of teams, in which case, one team in the odd-numbered division can play two games in a given week).  

• Mesh Jerseys (Grds 3-4), Shooting Shirt (Grds 1-4): All young athletes in grades 3 - 4 are outfitted in a reversible mesh jersey and shooting shirt.

• Practice & Game Schedule: All teams practice once-a-week (on weekdays) with games on weekends (Saturdays).

• League Rules: In the 1st – 2nd Grade Division, the rims start at 8’ and there is no score kept for games.  In the 3rd – 4th grade Division, the rims start at 9’ and the score is kept.  Rims raised in the event there is an upper 3rd-4th grade Division formed.  All Junior League divisions required equal playing time for all participants.

• Grass Roots Partnership: While the JBL is organized and run by VABA staff, parent volunteers partner with the league, assisting with communication and carrying out some game-day operations. Parents may have a direct hand in the league's rules and policies, as VABA's goal is to provide the best possible basketball opportunity for the community.

• FULL & PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS (Cost should not prevent anyone from signing up!) In order to provide the highest quality organization and league, it requires significant costs (listed above). The Junior League is a program of the Virginia Basketball Academy, a non-profit organization whose mission is to "build character and shape lives through the game of basketball - ensuring opportunities to all potential participants is critical to its purpose and success.  APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP TODAY!

• Cost: Grades 1-2 = $195, Grades 3-4 = $225