Factory of Champions 2022-23 Winter League
League Overview:
EVALUATION COMBINE/TRYOUT (Mandatory for All Players/Coaches – Details below)
[NOTE- There will be a combine for 1st/2nd Girls – Timing is TBD at this time]
Sunday, OCTOBER 30th
Sunday, NOVEMBER 6th
Players sign up individually at www.factoryofchampions.com and are drafted to teams – This league is designed to be competitive, meaning teams will be constructed as evenly as possible relative to collective player skill level.
If a player signs up after the division cap is reached, they will be placed on a waitlist. A significant number of waitlisted players made final team rosters each of the last five seasons.
Draft:
- Girls WNBA: Sunday, November 6th, 8:30PM @Factory of Champions
- Boys NBA: Monday, November 7th, 8:00PM @Factory of Champions
- Girls EuroLeague: Sunday, October 30th, 7:00PM @Factory of Champions
- Boys EuroLeague: Tuesday, November 8th, 8:00PM @Factory of Champions
- Boys NCAA: Wednesday, November 9th, 8:00PM @Factory of Champions
- Boys Varsity [Blue]: Tuesday, November 1st, 7:00PM @Factory of Champions
- Boys Varsity [Orange]: Tuesday, November 1st, 9:00PM @Factory of Champions
- Girls Varsity: Time and Location TBD
Team and Division Makeup:
As we established last year, divisions will no longer be based solely on grade level. Game formats will be either 5×5 or 4×4 full-court, or 3×3 half-court. Generally, most of our decisions around game format, roster size, draft policies, etc. are centered around ensuring best possible development opportunities. To learn more about why we do things, please connect reach out any time.
[With our WNBA and NBA divisions, we in part have modeled the Alamo Heights Little League. Specifically, AHLL has historically done a wonderful job in creating a year over year youth sport experience that culminates with a highly competitive top tier division, setting the table for very competitive remaining divisions. In similar fashion, we limit the size of our WNBA/NBA divisions to include all 6th graders, a portion of our 5th grade competitors, and potentially a few highly skilled 4th graders.]
Players will compete in the following divisions:
Girls Divisions
- WNBA – 4×4 Full Court – Teams of 7-8
- All 6th Grade, Most of 5th Grade
- Game Times: Wednesdays (All Games)
- Girls EuroLeague – 4×4 Full Court – Teams of 7-8
- Some 5th, All of 4th, Most of 3rd
- Game Times: All Games Wednesdays
- Girls NCAA – 3×3 Half Court – Teams of 5-6
- Almost all of 2nd, All of 1st
- Game Times: Saturday Mornings (All Games)
Boys Divisions
- NBA – 4×4 Full Court – Teams of 7-8
- All 6th Grade, Mix of 5th Grade, Possible Small group of 4th
- Game Times: Thursday Nights (All Games)
- Boys EuroLeague – 5×5 Full Court – Teams of 7-8
- Remaining 5th Grade, Most of 4th
- Game Times: 7-8 Games Thursday Nights (1-2 Games Saturday Morning)
- Boys NCAA – 4×4 Full Court – Teams of 7-8
- Remaining 4th, Most of 3rd
- Game Times: 7-8 Games Saturday Mornings (1-2 Games Wednesdays)
- Boys Varsity [Blue] – 3×3 Half Court – Teams of 5-6
- Most 2nd Grade, a few 1st
- Game Times: Saturday Mornings (All Games)
- Boys Varsity [Orange] – 3×3 Half Court – Teams of 5-6
- Remaining 2nd, Most 1st Grade
- Game Times: Saturday Mornings (All Games)
League Operations Useful Information
Practice
- Notably for Boys and Girls 1st and 2nd Grade, we align practice times with division and associated rim height requirements. That means that this year, there is little flexibility in scheduled court time – 1st and 2nd grade divisions WILL practice Sundays early/mid-afternoon. Here’s why: With 3×3 specifically, our goal is to have divisions at The Factory at the same practice times, so that the first 30 minutes can be teaching/coaching, and the last 30 minutes will be opportunities to scrimmage other division teams. The ability to teach and then play is a very effective development tool.
Younger Players Playing “Up”
- After each evaluation event, The Factory Coaching Staff will make recommendations regarding specific players who may benefit by playing in older divisions. These recommendations will not obligate these players to play ‘up,’ but we will contact parents directly in these situations. Conversely, parents can request that their child try out for this same opportunity.
Entry fees provide:
- Game jersey
- 9 game weeks(7 regular season and 2 playoffs)
- 10 Included Practices
- $40 entry into skill/play camp Monday-Wednesday of Thanksgiving week (Regular Price $65) 1:00-3:00PM
- Discount entry into November, December, January and February 3×3 Tournaments ($20/player)
Standard Practice Times allotted at Factory of Champions and local elementary school gyms are Monday or Tuesday between 5:00-8:00 pm or Sunday between 2:00-8:00 pm (practice times will be pre-assigned based on age groups). Coaches may make arrangements for additional practice times at alternative locations.
The Factory Winter League is a 9-week youth basketball league beginning in November (first games the week after Thanksgiving) and finishing in mid-February. Our primary goals for this league are competitive balance, well-executed league operation, superior game officiating, and a positive team basketball experience for each athlete. This league is targeted for parents looking for a more competitive play option that fits today’s multi-sport schedules while not requiring year-round commitments of traditional club sports.
- Season is 9 weeks – 3 prior to holidays, 6 after
- League is for boys and girls 1st to 6th grade
- Cost is between $215 and $265/player depending on age
- ONE practice/week
- Games will be on Wednesday or Thursday Nights, OR Saturday mornings depending on division
- No games during the 2-week school holiday break
Critical Dates:
OCTOBER COACHES MEETINGS – We would like all coaches to attend one of these meetings – we answer a million questions and prepare for the tryouts and drafts.
- All Divisions Except Girls 1st/2nd Grade: October 24th or 25th at 8PM @TBD (Either Factory or Alternative Location if FoC is still under renovations). Coaches only need to attend one of the two meetings.
- For Girls 1st/2nd Grade, we will announce date after finalizing Coaching Roster (this division is always the last one to come together as it does not have a formal draft).
If you are interested in coaching Boys 1st Grade or Girls 1st/2nd grade, God Bless You.
…and please contact Ben Hart @ benhart@factoryofchampions.com or 210-347-0859 [also, kidding, these divisions are really fun].
3×3 Youth Tournaments:
For six years, typically one Sunday each month, The Factory has hosted youth 3×3 tournaments for all ages, K-8. We believe youth 3×3 is among the most powerful basketball development tools for young players, allowing for more touches in a competitive environment. During the Champs League season, we’ll focus on including as many league participants as possible. We encourage you to put a team together and give these a try.
3×3 Tournament Dates are:
- TBD
