Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ’s

When are practices typically and when do they begin?

7^th-12^th grades – practices will begin shortly after NASD school teams are determined, usually just before or just after Thanksgiving.  Until then, Blue Eagles Basketball (BEB) host open gyms available to registered kids beginning in early November on week nights and typically twice per week.  As children move into higher age levels, practices at 7 or 7:30pm become more common, but BEB attempts to provide as early practices as possible for all age levels.  The season ends in late February.

4^th – 6^th grades – practices will begin shortly after team rosters are determined, usually the first or second week of November.  Children in this age level will be required to attend evaluations in mid-late October to help determine skill level and team placement.  Practices at this age level are on weeknights with, generally, one practice from 6-7:30pm and another from 7:30-9pm – although coaches may have restrictions based on their availability.  The season ends in late February or the first week of March.

3^rd grade – practices will begin in mid-November shortly after team rosters are determined.  Children at this age level will be required to attend an evaluation in early-mid November to help determine skill level and team placement with the intent to create equally-skilled teams.  Practices at this age level are on weeknights with, generally, one practice from 6-7:30pm and another from 7:30-9pm – although coaches may have restrictions based on their availability.  Based on gym time each week, this age level may also have some practices that begin at 5pm, or have two practices within the 6-7:30pm timeframe.  The season ends in late February or the first week of March.

1^st – 2^nd grades - practices will begin in early December after team rosters are determined.  Teams are formed from an equal number of 1^st and 2^nd graders on each team to provide evenly skilled teams/competition.  Practices at this age level are on weeknights with, generally, two practices between the 5-7:30pm timeframe.  The season ends in late February or the first week of March.

Kindergarten – kids in the Kindergarten program attend a series of 6 or 7 skills events on Saturday mornings in January and February.  Times rotate, but generally take place between 8:30-11am.  The program concludes on a Saturday morning with a scrimmage applying skills learned during the Winter and prepares the children for the next grade level the following season.

Where are practices?

Times and locations vary in order to provide all participants with equal travel demands and fair time schedules.  All practices take place at various NASD school gyms, In the Zone, Colonial Academy (Wind Gap) or other gyms within the Nazareth School District footprint.

What size of basketball does my child need?

Kindergarten – 27.5”

1^st, 2^nd grades – 27.5”

3^rd - 6^th grades – 28.5”

7^th-12^th grades (women) – 28.5”

7^th-12^th grades (men) – 29.5”

What happens if my child makes the Nazareth school team after registering for Blue Eagles Basketball?

Any child who registers for Blue Eagles Basketball in 7^th-12^th grades may participate in all open gyms during November.  Once the school team rosters are announced in late November, any child who made a school team will be refunded in full.

For middle school students only (7^th & 8^th grade), the option to play for both the school team and Blue Eagles Basketball is an option should they desire, subject to school coaches annual approval in early October.

When are evaluations, what are they?

Evaluations take place for students in 3^rd – 6^th grades prior to the season’s start.  Evaluations are a helpful guide in allowing Blue Eagles Basketball coaches and board members to understand each child’s skill level, in addition to collaborative coach feedback from a prior season. 

Evaluations for 4^th-6^th grades are scheduled for October 22^nd.  For children who show the potential to play for a Knee-High League team (more competitive, 4^th-6^th grades), children may be invited back for a 2^nd evaluation on October 29^th.  Evaluations for 3^rd graders will take place during the first two weeks of November and a date has not been determined yet.

Can I request that my son or daughter be on a specific Coach’s team or with another child?

Unfortunately, we do not accept coach or teammate requests.  However, we encourage you to contact your requested Coach so that they are aware of your request as all head coaches have feedback as a portion of the collaborative roster selection process at each age level.