Pre-Registration
Who is eligible to play?
A: We have leagues for both boys and girls starting at 1st grade through 8th grade. Additionally, all JBC participants must live within the boundaries of the Johnston Community School District and/or be enrolled in a Johnston school for the current school year.
How much does it cost to play with JBC?
A: Registration for the 2024-2025 basketball season is $30.00 to tryout. If a bid is offered to play on a JBC team, participation for the season is approximately $300 to $700 per player, depending on grade level and if the team has a paid or volunteer coach. There is an additional fee of $130 for the uniform and shooting shirt. Our fees also includes 20 hours of skills session with the JHS varsity coaching staff and/or our paid coaches (10 hours in the Fall and 10 hours in the Spring).
Tryouts and Season
How are players evaluated during tryouts?
A: Players are evaluated by a selection committee on the areas of:
a) Basketball fundamentals – ball handling, defense, dribbling, passing, shooting, etc.
b) Athletic ability - speed, agility, jumping, foot speed, etc.
c) Mental – Hustle, attitude, aggressiveness, etc.
What is the difference between the Gold and Purple teams?
A: Our primary goal is to create competitive teams that allow players to develop and thrive alongside teammates of similar skill levels. We strive to provide the best experience for players, coaches, and parents by focusing on player development and team cohesion. Players are placed on Gold, Purple, or White teams based on their skill level, position, and team needs. While the Gold team generally consists of higher-skilled players, it’s possible for players with advanced skills to be placed on Purple or White teams to ensure balanced and competitive teams (we can’t have a team of all centers/guards). Ultimately, we aim for all JBC teams to be competitive at every level.
Do the Gold and Purple teams compete against each other?
A: The teams could play against each other if they happen to enter the same tournament. We encourage the Gold team of one age group to practice against the Purple team of the grade higher on occasion to experience a different level of competition allowing the team to focus on strong and weak elements of their game.
How many games will each team play?
A: Teams may play in as many games or tournaments as they want which will be determined by each individual coach: 1-2 tournaments per month on the lighter side, or, up to 2-3 tournaments per month on the heavy side. The board will consult with the coaches on what has been successful in prior seasons considering each age group. For the younger age groups (4th grade and under), a good mix of weekly league games and some tournaments has been effective. For the older groups (5th grade and older) most teams have played primarily in local tournaments. There are plenty of tournaments available in the Des Moines area that are suitable for a variety of talent levels. The season typically starts in October and goes until early March, with teams generally playing around 30-40 games in total.
How is game playing time determined?
A: The JBC program is about developing player skills and fundamentals while also providing a successful competitive experience. Consequently, playing time will be at the coach’s discretion. We ask that coaches try to maintain relatively equal playing time through the season but individual playing time may vary during each game and/or tournament.
How often should we expect to practice?
A: 1st & 2nd grade teams will practice 1 time a week for 1 hour. 3rd & 4th grade teams will practice 2 times a week for 1 hour. 5th - 8th grade teams will practice 2 times a week for 60-90 minutes, depending on gym availability. For 8th grade teams, practices will be limited as practices are already held after school during the Middle School seasons.
Why can’t we get more gym time?
A: Gym time is a precious commodity in any community, and Johnston is no different. We will do our best to maximize the use of the gyms for our teams. We will utilize gyms outside of the Johnston school district as much as possible to provide ample gym time.
What training is available during the off-season?
A: We plan on offering 10 hours of skills training in the Fall and Spring for boys and girls. In addition there are camps offered by Johnston Community Education, as well as other camps and clinics that are posted on our website.
Coaches
What is the difference between Paid and Volunteer coaches?
A: Paid coaches are non-parent coaches that are recruited from outside JBC to coach specific teams, typically Gold teams but also Purple teams as available. These coaches are identified as individuals with previous basketball experience at a higher level and/or have held similar paid positions previously. Our paid coaches are also asked to lead skills sessions.
How does one become a volunteer coach?
A: The JBC board will accept applications from interested applicants in the weeks leading up to tryouts. If available, non-parent coaches may be preferred but ultimately the jobs will go to the most qualified applicant in the eyes of the board. Assistant coaches will also be selected by the board with consideration given to the head coach's recommendations. All new coaches will be required to complete a coaching application that identifies their coaching and playing experience. Background checks will be performed on all coaches.
What training do the volunteer coaches have?
A: Coaches attend a pre-season coaching clinic hosted by the Johnston High School Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball Coaches where they provide a consistent coaching curriculum.
Are coaches evaluated on their performance?
A: Yes, all coaches (Paid and Volunteer; Head and Assistant) are evaluated. We use an anonymous, on-line survey at the end of each season. This evaluation is requested to be completed jointly by each player and parent. The results are then used to help determine the coaching staff for the following season. The results are shared with the coaches to establish the actions necessary for improvement.