Metrowest Travel Program 

The Westwood MetroWest travel program is for grades 4 through 8 and starts in November and typically runs through mid-March.  

There is a tryout process before teams are determined with 1-2 mandatory tryout sessions per grade.

**All dates presented are not final. Below is a guide to help with any questions you may have.**

For information on the Metrowest Basketball League schedule, standings, etc... please visit http://www.metrowestbball.com/launch.php

TRY-OUTS

WBA requires all players be registered to attend try-outs.

Try-outs for each grade level are expected to be held the last week in September and the first week of October.

All players must try out for their respective grade's teams. To properly and fully assess each player, we may conduct two (2) nights (3 focused hours in total) of placements performing skill drills and game situations. It may be determined that a 3rd try-out is necessary, if a group has too many players to run an effective try-out in two sessions. For 4th grade or grades with limited enrollment, the Board may determine that only one try-out is necessary. WBA may utilize fully independent evaluators that do not have a child in the grade they evaluate. All evaluators have been involved in youth basketball for many years playing, coaching and/or officiating experience at multiple levels including AAU, high school or college.

In cases where a player cannot try out because of a documented injury, but is expected back in time for the season, WBA will use its sole discretion in placing that player on a team and may use any information it deems suitable including prior year placement information or other information from coaches, etc.  This may include an individual tryout after recovery to assess the player's skill.  However, a non-injured player who fully participated in placements will have priority over a player who was unable to participate in placements in those cases when the players are deemed “equal” in the placement process.

Prospective players are encouraged to attend all try-out sessions. In the event a player cannot attend try-outs due to a family or other special circumstance and upon reasonable prior notice, WBA will use its best efforts to find an alternative placement session (likely at the next higher grade level) in order to obtain as reasonable an assessment as possible.

TRAVEL COACH SELECTION: 

Only after the teams have been created through the evaluation process, WBA will identify and select the coaching candidates for the teams.  Coach selections are then based on the candidate's expertise and experience in basketball, coaching, and other youth related leadership activities, as well as overall credentials, approach, and if applicable, prior year parent feedback. We recognize that having consistency in coaches year to year is valuable, but not necessary, and it can also be very positive for the children to experience different coaches as part of their basketball careers and development. 

For this reason WBA's coaching staffs will consist of one head coach and one assistant coach, unless circumstances warrant an additional coach. Coaching candidates will be asked to submit an online registration at the time they register their children for Travel Tryouts. All coaches will be required to complete a CORI check prior to participating in the program.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

COACHES WILL NOT BE SELECTED FOR A SPECIFIC TEAM UNTIL AFTER PLACEMENTS ARE FINALIZED. WE WILL NOT MOVE ANY PLAYER UP OR DOWN TO A HIGHER OR LOWER TEAM JUST TO FILL A COACHING VACANCY. IF WE DO NOT HAVE COACHES TO RUN THE PROGRAM WE WILL SIMPLY HAVE LESS TEAMS.

TEAM SIZE

Over the past several years our Travel Program has seen tremendous growth. Westwood has one of the largest Travel programs among the 70+ Metrowest League member towns. (In 2021 we had 24 teams participating.)  We find it absolutely wonderful that our town has so many children that have a desire to play Travel Basketball. At the same time we struggle with many challenges such as gym space, finding competitive teams to play against our lower level teams, having an inadequate number of players in a grade which results in having teams of less than 10 players or having to combine grades and the availability of qualified coaches.

As we assess the number of registered players this year we will take care in ensuring that the team structure is set up so we are able to run an effective travel program. The Board is the sole decisionmaker as to team size.  Coaches are not permitted to expand their rosters by agreeing to take players from the team below.  Likewise, coaches are not allowed to request that the board send a player down so that they may have a smaller roster.  Please be aware there is a possibility your child may not make a travel team. If your child does not make a travel team they will play solely in our in-town league.

PRACTICES

Travel teams will practice up to twice a week beginning in early November. Practices may be held on any night of the week, including Saturday in the event there are no games scheduled. If your child can not make two practices per week and they are placed on a team that is practicing twice a week, they may be moved down to another team.

GAMES

Games are generally held mostly on Sundays, with some Saturday games as well. Games run from the first week of December through early March. Games will be scheduled on both weekends of February vacation and over December break. Again, please consider the increased time commitment for practice and games when deciding whether your child will participate on a travel team.

TEAMS & LEAGUE PLAY

Most teams will participate in the Metrowest League which consists of a twelve game schedule, with playoffs following the regular season. Teams will play additional "non-league games", which may vary on a team-by-team and grade-by-grade basis.

TOURNAMENTS & ADDITIONAL GAMES

All travel teams playing in the Metrowest League will qualify for the Metrowest's post-season playoffs that begin in early March. Additional tournaments and games may be scheduled during the season (i.e. during December or February vacation) on a team-by-team basis, largely at the discretion of the coaching staff. Some tournaments and games may be an additional cost for an individual team. This will be based on the total number of games scheduled for each team.

PLAYING TIME

Our goal is that all players have an equal experience but we recognize that this is a competitive program where staggered playing time is often necessary to remain competitive.  That said, the expected minimum playing time in grades 7 through 8 is 30% of the game, grades 4 through 6 the minimum playing time shall be 40% unless a team is placed in Division 1 where it will also be 30%.  It is very important that parents and players alike are ready to accept that they may only play 30% of the time (40% for 4th, 5th and 6th graders). EXACT PLAYING TIME MAY VARY GAME TO GAME.

TRAVEL SEASON FEE:

Expected to be $350 (registration for teams opens after team assignments and fees are then due)

UNIFORMS:

Players with travel uniforms may use that uniform. WBA is in tne process of finding a new uniform vendor for the 22/23 seasln.  If you are new to the WBA, please contact registrar@westwoodbasketball.org to have your jersey number assigned to you AFTER TRYOUTS.

TWINS/SIBLING PLACEMENT

Twins/siblings in the same grade will be evaluated and placed independently. Prior to the evaluations, parents may request twins/siblings to be placed on the same team. In the event that there is a request for siblings to be on the same team both players will be placed on the lower of the teams the players were evaluated for.