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Travel Tryout Information & Program Expectations

2026-27 SHYBA Travel Basketball —  Tryout Information & Program Expectations

Welcome to the 2026-27 SHYBA Travel Basketball Program! Travel basketball is a competitive program that requires a significant commitment from players and their families. The information below outlines the tryout process, season expectations, costs, schedule, and other important details. Please review this information carefully before attending tryouts.

1. Tryouts and Team Rosters

Tryout schedules have been posted for all Travel Teams. All players MUST be registered with SHYBA prior to attending tryouts. There are no exceptions. Player registrations will be checked before players are admitted to tryouts. As in previous years, parents will not be permitted in the gym during tryouts. The head coach for each team, along with one or more independent evaluators, will be present for the duration of the tryouts and will be responsible for selecting the players for the team. A maximum of ten (10) players will be selected for each Travel Team. Team rosters will be posted on the SHYBA website following the conclusion of tryouts. If additional tryouts are necessary for a particular team, the posting of that team's roster may be delayed.

2. Travel Basketball Priorities and Commitment

The travel basketball season will run approximately from October 12, 2026 through March 27, 2027. Once the fall sports season (football, soccer, baseball/softball, etc.) has concluded, Travel Basketball is expected to be the player's primary sports commitment during the travel season. School activities, homework, family obligations, vacations, church activities, and similar commitments take precedence over Travel Basketball. However, other competitive sports and organized activities—including Travel/All-Star soccer, football, softball, CYO, and other extracurricular activities—should be scheduled around the Travel Basketball schedule. Because practices and games can be scheduled on different days from week to week, families should be prepared to make Travel Basketball a significant commitment throughout the season. Please discuss any specific attendance or scheduling concerns with your child's coach.

3. Financial Responsibility

If your child is selected for a Travel Team, there will be an additional travel fee of approximately $300, payable to SHYBA during the first week of practices. This fee is in addition to the SHYBA registration fee already paid and helps cover:

• Additional gym time for Travel Team practices

• Equipment for the season

• ICBA (Inter-County Basketball Association) entry fees

• Referee fees

• Two tournaments for each team

• Uniforms for new players

• Insurance

4. Playing Time

Unlike the SHYBA Intramural League, Travel Team players are not guaranteed equal playing time during games. Our general Travel Team playing-time guideline is that each player will play a minimum of approximately 1/4 of each game, and no player will play more than approximately 3/4 of a single game. This guideline may be adjusted during playoffs. Playing time is ultimately at the discretion of the head coach and may be influenced by factors including consistent practice attendance, attitude, effort, teamwork, and overall play during practices and games.

5. Practices

Travel Teams will average approximately two practices per week throughout the season, with additional practices generally scheduled during the early part of the season. Typically, teams will have one weekday practice and one weekend practice, although the schedule may vary from week to week. Consistent attendance at practice is important and may impact playing time if a player has missed practices.

6. Tournaments

The selection of tournaments is at the discretion of each individual head coach. SHYBA will cover the cost of at least two (2) tournaments per team through the Travel Team registration fees. If a team elects to participate in additional tournaments, there may be additional costs that would be the responsibility of the parents/players on that team.

7. ICBA Regular Season and Games

The ICBA regular season is expected to begin on December 18, 2026 and run through approximately February 23, 2027, followed by playoffs. The regular season schedule consists of 12 games — 6 home games and 6 away games. Games may be scheduled on any day of the week. Historically, SHYBA home games are most often played on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, but families should be prepared for games to be scheduled on other days as well. Home game locations will be determined at a later date.

8. If Your Child Is Not Selected for a Travel Team

If your child is not selected for a Travel Team, he/she will be included in the SHYBA Intramural League. As a league policy, the initial SHYBA registration fee paid prior to Travel Team tryouts is not refundable if a player is not selected for a Travel Team, as that registration includes participation in the SHYBA Intramural League.

9. Questions

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the SHYBA Travel Basketball Program, please feel free to contact Steve Mocey at travel@shyba.org

Thank you for your interest in SHYBA Travel Basketball, and best of luck to all of our players at tryouts!

Steve Mocey

SHYBA Travel Coordinator