Available Programs

2025-2026 Basketball Rec

Basketball 2025/2026

This year we will be offering the following divisions for basketball.

Kindergarten(K) - Boys & Girls (Co-ed)

Grade 1 - Boys & Girls (Co-ed)

This season the K and Grade 1 program will focus on developing fundamentals and improving skills. K and Grade 1 (Minis) will attend 1 practice per week on Sunday starting in Late December or Early January. Kids will practice with their team weekly until the Mini's season starts in Mid February.

Grade 2, Grades 3/4, and Grades 5/6 will be playing against other recreational basketball programs from around the western county area mostly. Northridge, Licking Heights, Centerburg, and Utica. Home games will be played in Johnstown at JES or JMS and away games at these other program sites and practices will be held at JES or Red Bank Gym. We will NOT be participating in the Newark YMCA program.

2nd Grade Division for boys and girls

NOTE: Inexperienced 2nd graders have the option to sign up for the grade 1 program and are encouraged to do so if this is their first season of organized basketball.

3rd & 4th Grade Division - Boys and Girls Divisions

5th & 6th Grade Division - Boys and Girls Divisions

If your child is interested in playing up (1 grade) then please make sure to indicate when prompted during the registration process. All requests will be reviewed by the league commissioner with input from coaches and parents. The goal of a child playing up is to ensure their skill levels are appropriately matched up with the anticipated skill levels they are requesting to play at. We want to make sure all children have an enjoyable experience.

If your child was selected to participate in the PILOT JYAA Practice Team Program, please make sure to answer yes when prompted during the registration process.

Please note: We will not be able to make sure practices are on the same night every week. With one gym for the whole program, a practice schedule can vary from week to week based on gym availability. If the school has an event, for example, on any given night, all of the practices that were normally that night need to shift to another night throwing off the entire schedule. We will provide practice schedules on a month-to-month basis as we have them.

There will be some practices held this year at a new location on Red Bank Road. More information will follow from your coach. The new location will allow the teams to have more practice time with less shared gym time.

The kids will be coached by parent volunteers, and we will hire certified referees for games. The season will be over mid-February ending with a tournament.

Miscellaneous Items to Note

Coaches: We will assign one head coach per team, then that coach can ask for assistance from a player's parent from their team to act as an assistant coach. Parents: You may not request a specific coach for your child.

Drafts/Evaluations: (2nd - 6th grade) It is very important for your child to be at drafts and evaluations. This allows us to build fair and equitable teams.

JYAA Policies

As a parent, please be aware that JYAA is committed to the safety of your child, including an abuse-free environment that is ensured through background checks and SAFE training for all coaching volunteers. If you have further questions please contact your [email protected]

Non-Volunteer Fee

If you volunteered more than 3 hours and did not receive emailed coupon code(s), please contact [email protected]. There is still an opportunity to volunteer and get your non-volunteer fee refunded or accumulate coupons for future seasons. Coupons are good for a full year after they are issued.

Scholarships

JYAA believes that all local youth should have the opportunity to play sports. The JYAA is updating its financial aid program. In partnership with the Licking Memorial Active Fit Program, all requests for scholarships will be run through Licking Memorial first at ActiveFit | Promoting Healthy Lifestyles for Kids

The program will provide scholarships up to $169 based on income guidelines. If you are denied or require additional assistance, you may still apply for a scholarship with JYAA HERE. These scholarships will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

You will be required to confirm you reviewed and agree to the policies outlined by the State of Ohio for:

Lindsay's Law Sudden Cardiac Arrest - https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/lindsays-law/lindsays-law

Ohio Return to Play Concussion Protocol - https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/child-injury-prevention/media/concussion-information-sheet-interscholastic-athletics