LSYS Basketball FAQs

Who can play? 
The intent of the Lake Spokane Youth Sports (LSYS) Basketball program is to bring organized sports to area kids who are in kindergarten through sixth grade. All teams are co-ed. You can live anywhere in the greater Nine Mile Falls community, including Deer Park and Spokane, but all practices and games are held at NMF schools.

How are teams determined?
LSYS basketball teams are based on grade level. Our goal is for kids to have fun while learning the sport, so the age brackets are a guideline, not a requirement. If your child is at a different skill level than the listed age group, then we will attempt to make reasonable accommodations. The size of teams are determined by the number of registered players. While we were unable to play in 2021, during the 2020 season, we had 148 players sign up.  Last season (2022) we registered a record high of 171 kids!  The LSYS Board ensures that teams are equally distributed to create some great match ups. Our basketball divisions are as follows: 

• PreK & Kindergarten: A fun place to learn to the fundamentals of dribbling, shooting, passing and rebounding. (PreK is defined as a child who will enter kindergarten in the upcoming school season.)
• First & Second Grade: Start learning the rules of basketball, develop skills and position placement.
• Third & Fourth Grade: Focus on developing deeper awareness of the game, running screenplays and strengthening form and skills.
• Fifth & Sixth Grade: Offering more structure, players focus on learning fixed positions, delivering court coverage and developing advanced shooting form and ball handling skills. Games are officiated by high school referees. 

Will LSYS provide uniforms and equipment?
The registration fee includes a basketball jersey for you to keep. During the 2023 season, we were able to purchase basketballs for every registered player! Players provide their own shorts, socks and athletic sneakers. If children would like to bring their own ball, that's great! If you need assistance with personal equipment, then please reach out to us at [email protected] to inquire about donation and scholarship options. LSYS supplies each team coach with basketballs, pennies, and cones. Parent donations are always appreciated! 

• 29.5" (size 7) ball suitable for boys 12 and older
• 28.5” (size 6) ball suitable for girls 9 and older and boys ages 9-12
• 27.5” (size 5) ball suitable for ages 9 and under

• Dicks Sporting Goods (DSG) continues to offer discounts to our League, which we use to buy team equipment. Your team’s coach will have coupons, but if you go to the DSG website and create an account, then you will receive coupons directly.
• Big 5
• Walmart
• Target
• Amazon

What is the registration fee, and is there a family discount or scholarship?
LSYS is proud to offer our families an affordable $40 registration fee. There is a $5 sibling discount that is automatically applied when you register all kids under the same account. LSYS wants all kids to play, so we have funds earmarked for registration fee scholarships! Please reach out to us at [email protected] for information. We are grateful to our sponsors for their generous donations, which allow the league to make scholarships a possibility.

When will practices and games be held?
The 2023 season is scheduled to run from Jan. 9 - Mar 4. We have been given permission to use the NMF school district's gyms. Gym space in our area is extremely limited, so you can expect one practice for one hour each week, sometime between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Monday-Friday.  Depending on how many teams we form after registration, there will be somewhere between 6- 8 games during the season. 3/4 teams will play full court at Nine Mile Falls Elementary, while the PreK/K and 1/2 teams play on half the court using the side baskets at Lake Spokane Elementary.  Our 5/6 teams play at Lakeside Middle School. Once the season begins, specific schedules for practices and games will be available on the secure Team Central tab (you must be logged in to view) on our website or the Team Manager App (install instructions).

Where are the courts located?
The Nine Mile School District has given permission for the league to use their indoor basketball courts for practices and games. LSYS is a guest, so please remember that you are on school property when using the gyms.  

• Nine Mile Falls Elementary: 10102 W Charles Rd, Nine Mile Falls, WA
  
• Lake Spokane Elementary: 6015 WA-291, Nine Mile Falls, WA
• Lakeside Middle School: 6169 WA-291, Nine Mile Falls, WA
• Lakeside High School: 5909 WA-291, Nine Mile Falls, WA

What happens if we will be gone during the season or there is bad weather?
Life happens. At this age, it's all about fun. This is a time for learning how to play and a safe place to practice skills and be introduced to competition. There is no league penalty for missed practices or games. We only ask that you communicate with your coaches so that they can plan accordingly. The Team Manager app is a great way to stay in contact.

It is up to the coach's discretion to hold or cancel practice due to the weather. However, if schools are closed for a snow day, practice will be cancelled. Due to limited gym space, these cancellations will not likely be made up. 

How do I register? 
Our online player registration is live for a period of time in the fall and early winter for player registration. You can pay your registration fee through the website with a debit or credit card or follow the instructions to mail a check. If you have registration questions, then contact us at [email protected]. 

How can I get involved as a coach or volunteer? 
LSYS is fully run by volunteers. Keeping a multi-sports league going is a year-round effort that takes many skills and hands to run. LSYS is led by a board of primary members (President, Treasurer, Marketing and specific sports Chairpersons) with volunteers helping run each sports division. If organizing the logistics of team sports (registration, schedules, ordering equipment and uniforms, etc) isn’t your thing, there is always a need for coaches, team managers and court keepers. Anyone working directly with the kids must pass a background check in order to volunteer. Sign up on our Volunteer Opportunities page!

If direct involvement isn’t your thing but you want to contribute, LSYS is a registered nonprofit and always accepting and appreciative of monetary, equipment and merchandise donations.

I’m registered, now what?!
Welcome to the LSYS league! We anticipate having teams formed by mid December. While you wait for more information from your team coach, download the Team Manager app and start filling out your profile and taking note of scheduled practices and games. You’ll be able to see who is on your child’s team. Get to know everyone so that you have a fun season playing basketball! We are so excited to watch the kids form lifelong friendships and make memories on the court.