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Youth Basketball: Recreational & Competitive

Basketball: Jr. Celtics, Leagues, and Skills & Drills

All our basketball classes and leagues provide young athletes with a dynamic and enjoyable avenue to learn the sport, improve skills, and foster teamwork. Our programs aim to cultivate not only athletic skills but also character and camaraderie among participants. Join us on the court for a fulfilling and enriching basketball experience!

Seasonal Programming and Progression for Basketball

Fall, Winter, and Spring Basketball

Basketball Skills and Drills Levels I-IV
These are skills-based sessions with Scrimmage Clinics, a starter league and warm-up to our Recreation League Season.

Basketball Scrimmage Clinic Levels I-IV
The focus is on how to play basketball. Scrimmage-based teaching strategy, body placement, game understanding etc.

Jr Celtics Academy and Kiwanis Basketball League (Recreational League)

Jr. Celtics is a 12-week League that focuses on player development on and off the court. We are teaching an understanding of basketball as a whole and have various levels of play so everyone can be challenged. We are also focused on youth development through sport. All players will get equal playing time for this league and while this is a league where the goal is still to win the game, it is not the ultimate goal of this league. Competing in one of our Recreational leagues is to prepare the player for the Competitive League that is hosted in the spring session.

Kiwanis League is a historic Basketball League that has been run in Beverly for decades. It has the same format, structure, and goals as the Jr. Celtics League, but with respect to the history of the league, we have maintained its name.

Travel Basketball League (Competitive)

This league is our most competitive league and is played with the understanding that the team is going to prioritize winning. The mission of the Y and sports departments which is dedicated to youth development still plays a pivotal role in this league, but the emphasis is to create an atmosphere with the team focused as a whole on how to win each game and win a championship. Teams are set up at local YMCAs and their practices are held there weekly. The games are played against other YMCA of the North Shore locations and teams will play a mix of home and away games at these locations. Standings are updated weekly and playoffs are seeded bracket play single elimination until 1 team remains.

Summer Programming: Basketball Camps

Summer camps consist of a full day of camp 9 am -4 pm. 9:00 am -12:00 pm will be exclusively basketball training, skills, scrimmage, strategy etc. The afternoon hours will look very similar to a YMCA day camp where players will have the opportunity to engage in camp activities, play structured games with their friends, swim in the pool, and have fun. We run a combine for our Sports Camps and show the campers where they are skill-wise at the beginning of the week and how they have progressed by Friday. This is a great way to still continue the progress you have made from fall skills classes through travel ball.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your player will need comfy athletic clothes that they can move freely in. Non- marking sneakers, a water bottle
We will provide all of the equipment for whatever class we are running. If your player has their own ball or equipment piece they would like to bring they are absolutely allowed to do that but please write their name on it before attending that class or league.

In the description of the class we have benchmarks for their success and the skills we will be teaching during that program. If your player can complete 8-10 of those skills listed in the level, they might be better served in the higher level. (Note) It is much easier to level your player up during the session than have them in a place they are not ready to be in. It is usually better to start in the level they will be comfortable in and have their coach suggest they move up for more of a challenge. If you have questions about leveling please reach out to your local director and they can help you place them correctly.

If your player is within 1 year of the age restrictions we have placed we can override the restriction. Typically a phone call to the director can help us to give your player the best experience for them and put them in a class they may not apply for age-wise before the season starts.

As with all leagues and classes there are exceptions to the rule here and there but for the most part our players use
27.5 – ages 6-8
28.9 (Full size girls standard ball) – ages 9-11
29.5 (Full size Mens Standard ball) – ages 12+
Please note these sizes may change based on the competitive level of the league

Our Skills and Drills Classes are not league based and therefore all players are put together based on age and then separated if needed based on skill

Our Jr. Celtics and Kiwanis League are Recreational Leagues, all players will be given equal playing time regardless of skill and ability

Our Travel League is a competitive league, and players are given playing time based on their effort, attendance at practice, and skill level.

“My daughter has learned so many skills through Jr. Celtics! Teamwork, dribbling, footwork, listening, self-control, ball control, and the love of basketball. She looks forward to going week after week!”