When are Signups?  

Signups begin in August for all leagues/divisions, however, you may see below for more specific information as to when sign-ups occur for your child.

Girls Travel Basketball (Grades 3-8): August - with tryouts being in mid to late August

Boys Travel Basketball (Grades 3-6): September - with tryouts being in mid to late September

All Recreational Leagues (Boys & Girls Grades K-6): October - with all leagues beginning mid to late October 

How do we register?

Registration forms may be downloaded from this website (see "forms" tab), completed and turned in either at a scheduled registration event, or at the school office. 

What is the difference between Recreational League and Travel League basketball?

The recreational league is in-house (intramural) basketball.  This means you play at Danville against other Danville teams only.  Recreation basketball is to teach and develop fundamentals and have fun playing the game of basketball.  The focus is on development of skills and having fun, not winning.  The recreational league teams will practice/play games twice per week, generally a weeknight and on Saturday.  Playing time is distributed as equally as possible among players.  Travel basketball is more competitive.  While the fundamentals are still being developed and players are having fun, the focus shifts more to strategy.  Players learn various offensive and defensive strategies and style of play.  While we may not run a specific offense or defensive style, all types are covered so teams know how to react against an opposing teams style of play.  The travel season is longer, and teams will generally practice two evenings per week and play games against teams from other central Indiana teams on Sunday afternoons.  The travel teams will also play in some weekend tournaments over the course of the season.  Playing time is determined by player ability, performance in practices, attitude and game situations, and there is no guarantee of playing time in the travel leagues.  Players on the travel teams can expect to significantly improve their basketball skills over the course of the season because of their additional practice opportunities, regardless of their game participation.

Who may play in the Danville Junior Basketball League?

The league offers recreational basketball for boys and girls in grades Kindergarten through 6th grade.  Travel basketball is available, by selection through the tryout process, to boys and girls in grades 3 through 6.  Participants do not need to attend Danville Public Schools (may be home-schooled or attend private/parochial school), but must reside in the Danville School district, i.e. Center or Marion township.

When do the recreational leagues play?

All recreational leagues will begin their seasons within a few weeks of each other.  Sign-ups will be held during the months of September and October with all leagues beginning play in mid to late October.  All recreational leagues will run from this time until March with breaks that allign with Danville Comunity Schools holiday breaks.  

What are the  major and minor divisions?

In the boys league only, the major league (division) is for grades 3 through 6.  Minor league (division) is for kindergarten through 2nd grade.   This artificial division is related to the large number of participating boys.

What if I want to coach a travel team?

Travel team coaches are selected prior to tryouts, and are interviewed by the DJBL Board of Directors.  Candidates should indicate their interest in applying for a coaching position to the girls travel team coordinator(see bottom for contact info),  or the boys travel team coordinator (see bottom for contact info) .  Because the coaches are selected before the tryouts, the deadline for applying for a girls travel team coaching position is August 1, and for the boys, September 1.  When indicating your interest, you will also have the opportunity to ask questions and get additional information as to what the job entails.

What if I want to coach a recreational league team?

You will find an area on the registration form to indicate your interest in coaching or assisting.  Please note that, particularly in the lower grade levels, interest, enthusiasm and willingness to learn are far more important than having a vast knowledge of coaching strategies.  The website offers a coaching manual and a skills and fundamentals to help you get started.  You will be able to observe and help with basic drills and fundamentals review, along with more experienced coaches at the skills evaluation days held at the beginning of each recreational league.  Also remember that there is no "dad's only rule.  We encourage interested moms (or grandparents) to coach if they are interested, in either boys or girls leagues.  Historically, there have been several very successful female coaches in our leagues.  There is no better way to gain coaching experience and expertise than to get in there and participate.

Is my child ready for travel basketball?

If your child has a great desire to play at the next level, has above average fundamental skills, is willing to commit to learn more, is available and will attend practices (2 times per week), is able to commit to play on Sunday afternoons, and you don't mind traveling aproximantly 30 minutes away for some games, and is available for try-outs, then travel basketball may be what you want.

Is there more than one team for travel basketball?  

Danville offers travel basketball for boys and girls grades 3-6.  Younger players have not developed the fundamentals for Travel basketball.  Each grade level has at least one team.  If there is sufficient interest and available talent, a second team may be added at any level.  We have fielded two grade level teams in several grades in the boys and girls travel league recently, as interest and ability permits.

Are there additional costs for travel basketball?

There is also an additional $45 fee per player to cover registration with USSFA, referees, uniforms, etc. There is an entrance fee for each travel game for all fans.  Players and coaches are admitted free.  Indy Hoops sets this fee for all sites.  The cost has been $3 per person and $6 per family (household) for regular season boys games.  Regular season girls games are slightly more, however, the girls play only every other weekend, and on those dates play 2 games (entry fee covers both games).

How is the travel basketball team selected?

The player candidates  are evaluated over a two day period by a committee composed of local junior high and high school boys or girls basketball coaches.  Fundamental skills, individual play, player attitude, and team play are the basis behind the coaches evaluations.  In general, committee members do not know the individual players, and players receive individual rankings based solely on their performance in the tryouts.  The highest rated players are selected for the travel team(s).  Additional players may be offered spots as alternates or "practice players".  These players will practice with the travel team (and presumably improve their basketball skills accordingly) but will not participate in the Sunday games.  Alternates also participate in the recreational league, where they will have game experience.

When are the tryouts for travel basketball?

Tryouts for the girls travel program are held in mid to late August and tryouts for the boys travel program are held in mid to late September.  Specific times will be posted on this website, published in local papers, and distributed by email to those who participated in the league, travel or recreational, last season.  

Who/where does travel basketball play?

Travel basketball will play teams from central and south central Indiana.  Possible opponents include Avon, Brownsburg, Cascade, Greencastle, Indian Creek, Perry Meridian, Beech Grove, Warren, Carmel, Hamilton Southeastern, Westfield, Noblesville, Zionsville, Eastern Hancock County, and Shelbyville among others.  Some games will be hosted at Danville and played at the high school, others will be played at neutral sites, with a significant number of games at Avon, Brownsburg or Ben Davis.  Nearly all will be with 30 minutes driving time.

Are there tournaments or post season play?

Boys travel teams play in a league called Indy Hoops (see links page for link to Indy Hoops website).  There is a season ending single elimination tournament.  the girls play in the Indy Girls Hoops League (see the links page for a link to the IGHL website).  They play two seasons, with two season ending single elimination tournaments.  Danville has had significant success in both of these leagues with championship performances from both the boys and girls teams.  There is a possibility of a pre-season tournament, a Thanksgiving tournament, and/or a Winter Break Tournament.  We may also play in other post season tournaments with distance to home being a consideration.  USSFA regional and state games have been close to Indianapolis recently and we expect the same sites to host again.  These are generally completed by mid-March. 

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS:

Boys Travel Questions - Cindy Wills (Boys Travel Coordinator) - Email Cindy Wills

Girls Travel Questions - Doug Collier Email Doug Collier

All Other League Questions - Ed Wills Email Ed Wills