LNGBA Traveling Basketball

LNGBA Girl's Traveling Basketball adheres to the philosophy that players need to be in a position where they are playing with and against players of similar playing ability.  We believe that girls having more advanced skills should be given the opportunity to enhance their abilities under the best conditions possible, and girls with less-developed basketball skills deserve the opportunity to develop in an environment that does not frustrate them. We believe that the best conditions exist when a more challenging and therefore more competitive environment is created. We believe that competition against players of similar ability is healthy for the girls physically and mentally and that the girls will grow as they strive to overcome these greater challenges.

Our goal is the following:

• Development of a positive self-esteem. That each girl feels good about themselves and can be proud of the effort they've given.
• Development of well-balanced mental strength. That each person has a positive mental approach in handling the rewards of success, as well as the correct mental approach and strength to handle the emotional feelings associated with a setback.
• Teach the girls to work together as a team to accomplish goals such as, playing at competitive level, develop leadership, create friendships, and HAVE FUN!

LNGBA Girl's Traveling Basketball serves grades 3rd through 8th, preferably 2-3 teams per level, with 8 - 10 players per team. The season runs from mid-October to early-March. There will usually be 2 practices per week and approximately 7 to 10 tournaments played, with each tournament being a minimum of 3 games.

All tournaments are all in nearby communities with the exception of one overnight tournament - usually Rochester, MN. The Traveling Director sets up all tournaments for the traveling basketball season. Parents are required to help out with the traveling program in one capacity or another.

We want the girls to develop the habit of thinking as a winner ("I can", "Never give up", etc.) and working hard to win. In the end, we want them to handle winning graciously, and to accept losing with strength.

Traveling players are also encouraged to come and support the Panthers during the varsity season, so each traveling player is admitted free to all Senior High home games.

An FAQ section linked at the top of this web page may provide answers to more of your questions.

Question:  Who can participate?
LNGBA runs Traveling Basketball teams for 3th thru 8th grade girls. Our programs are for students who live or attend school within the Lakeville North High School Attendance boundary.  Per MYAS rules, players who live outside of Lakeville North attendance boundaries, unless enrolled at North feeder schools must play in their home association. At times, players from bordering communities may petition to be included on an LNGBA team, but may only be accepted if LNGBA needs additional members to complete a roster, and said player does not have the opportunity to play within their home association.  Signatures from the home association are needed to consider eligibility.

Question:  What is the difference between House/Rec League and Traveling?
Traveling basketball is a more competitive program, with significantly more practice and game time, as well as the division into A, B, and C teams for tournament play with and against similarly matched competition.  Travel teams may play over 30 competitive games in 8-10 weekend tournaments over the course of the season, and practices are 90 minutes long, usually 2 times per week.  Traveling basketball is generally played with high school rules (with some defensive rule exceptions for younger  grades).  

Traveling is generally the preferred choice for players who are committed to developing their basketball skills and competing at a higher level, and have basketball as their preferred winter sport.  Players whose goal is to play High School Basketball are strongly encouraged to participate in the Traveling program.

Question:  How much traveling is involved with Travel Basketball?
Most tournaments we attend are much closer than you may think.  We usually sign up for tournaments in neighboring communities, but to get a wider variety of competition we do schedule a few tournaments that may be up to 45-60 minutes away.  We try to schedule only 1-day tournaments when the location is more than 20 miles from Lakeville.  Teams are also registered for the season-ending MYAS state tournament, which is be staged at a variety of locations.

Question:  What is the schedule for Travel Program?
Our Travel Teams usually practice twice a week (occasionally 3 practices) and compete in several weekend tournaments. Tryouts are held in September, practices begin in October, and tournaments begin in November. There is a break over Christmas (teams may hold optional practices during breaks), and our season ends with the Grade State Championships typically held the last weekend in February.  

Question:  How many tournaments do Travel Teams play?
We typically plan for 8-10 tournaments for all Teams, including the season-ending state tournament. Teams are guaranteed at least three games in each tournament, and sometimes get as many as five. Games are usually Saturday and/or Sunday; the larger tournaments sometimes schedule games on Friday evening (very rare). A majority of Girls tournaments are single-day events, meaning your team plays all games on either Saturday OR Sunday.  Teams occasionally have the opportunity to join additional tournaments last-minute when associations offer free or reduced-price entries to fill brackets – LNGBA requires that coaches consult with parents prior to registering for any additional dates.

Question:  How do I know if my child is ready for Travel Basketball?
If your daughter loves basketball and has a commitment to improve, there is a spot for her in our program!  Girls interested in playing are encouraged to attend LNGBA Summer Camps to develop their skills and have the opportunity to get to know and compete with other girls in the program as well as to get to know our High School coaching staff. 

In September each season all players interested in the Travel Program will be evaluated by the Lakeville North High School Girls basketball staff. We aim to have 2 or 3 teams formed in each grade, and put together teams at the A, B, and/or C level, which means players can be placed on a team with others nearest their skill level, and play against others of similar ability. Tournaments for most grades are designated as A/B/C levels so teams can be fairly matched. 

There is no automatic carryover from year to year – everyone has the opportunity to be placed on any given team based on how they compete in the tryouts.  Players who are not selected for a Traveling Team are automatically placed on a Rec League team to allow them to continue their skill development. 

Question:  Is 3rd Grade Traveling handled differently?
3rd Grade traveling is a new option that has emerged over the past few years - LNGBA started with 3rd Grade Traveling in the 2022-23 season.  3rd Grade poses different challenges than we see at the older grades, primarily that tournaments are usually posted at a single level, so there tends to be some games with significant disparity in skills. 

We continue to evolve our 3rd grade offerings to best fit with the current basketball environment.  For 2024-25, we will have two 3rd grade teams.  One team will play a full tournament schedule, 8 tournaments.  The other team will play a mix of league and 4 tournaments including State.  MYAS is starting a new 5 week 3rd Grade Traveling league where our team will play 2 games each weekend and potentially more during play-offs in this league.  

Our goal for our youngest players is to give them a season of highly competitive, enjoyable 5 on 5 basketball in an environment focused on player development for ALL.  Player development can be stunted and enjoyment of the game limited when a team is winning or losing by a large margin in most games, so we will only field teams where we believe we can be competitive. 

Question:  What does the Traveling tryout process entail?
LNGBA tryouts are completed by the Lakeville North High School Coaching staff.  The traveling tryouts occur over the course of two sessions for each grade, unless the High School coaching staff determines it can make an accurate assessment in a single session for any particular grade. Tryout attendance is mandatory, players with injuries will still need to attend (prior-season coach feedback and summer camp performance may be considered for team placement in those cases).  Players will be evaluated on individual skills, teamwork, and game play, as well as feedback from their prior year’s coach. We encourage players to attend the open gyms that take place in advance of the evaluations, as well as LNGBA summer camps, as they are good opportunities to better develop basketball skills.

LNGBA may add players without a tryout to the lowest level team in an age group, and may add players during the season to fill roster needs.  For players who move into the community post tryouts, an individual tryout may be arranged for proper team placement.  A separate tryout fee will be required.

Question:  How many players are placed on travel teams?
We place 8-11 players on each team. This ensures adequate playing time for each player. We try to place the girls at the right level for their skills and development, which can result in variations in team sizes.  Our Varsity Head Coach has final say in decisions related to player placement and the number of players on a team.

Question:  Can my daughter play up to a higher grade level?
LNGBA believes that in most cases, in the long term, girls are better served by playing at their grade level with their friends and with same-age competition.  In the case where the numbers of registrants for different grades creates a situation where we may have to "cut" players at different levels, or if a player exhibits a performance level beyond her grade, LNGBA may consider requesting that certain girls play up to the next level.  The Traveling Director will work with LNHS coaching staff and the LNGBA President to determine any playing up needs following tryouts.  Girls will be invited to play up only if the girl is evaluated as having the emotional maturity, physical strength, and skill level that indicates her development would be better enhanced by playing with the older age group.

• Must be a clear choice to make the “A” team for that level for grades other than 4th.
• No one will be placed on a higher-grade team if that placement results in any players with Traveling-level talent losing a spot at the traveling level.
• Girls who play up one year should not expect to be playing up in future years.  Playing up is a year-by-year decision.

In some years and under certain circumstances,  8th graders may be invited to join the High School program.  Girls who play at any HS level other than 9th grade are not allowed to also participate in the Traveling program due to Minnesota State High School League regulations.

Question:  What is the cost for Travel Basketball?
Along with almost everything else, costs associated with running our program have increased significantly over the past 2-3 years. Including the new facilities fee that requires us to pay for all gym space for each and every practice.

2024-25 Fees

$550 for 4th-8th grade

$500 for 3rd grade

$110 uniform deposit - Via Personal Check due at Uniform Distribution.  Check will NOT be cashed unless uniform is damaged. 

$300 volunteer deposit - Via Personal Check due at Uniform Distribution.  Check will NOT be cashed if families complete their volunteer requirement.

Most of the tournaments we play in are now charging a higher association entry fee, while no longer charging for admission to the games.  The player fee covers all gym time, team tournament entry fees, uniforms, shooting shirts, coach training, outside professional training, tryout fees, and supplies (balls, etc) for the team. The few tournaments that continue to have admission fees typically range from $6-10 for adults and $5-8 (players are admitted at no cost) for students for each day, and about half of girls tournaments are single-day events.  In the event that a team is assigned a paid coach, players on that team will be assigned an additional charge.

Players fees are subject to change each year based on changes in necessary expenses.  Traveling operates at a deficit with player fees, but aims to cover that deficit with proceeds from our hosted tournament.

Question:  Why does Traveling cost so much?
We actually run Traveling at a deficit in relation to player fees, with the goal of making up that deficit with proceeds from hosting our own tournament.  Some of the expenses that make up the Traveling fees:

• Tournament Entry Fees:  The average tournament costs LNGBA about $450-550 per team.  Tournament entries are by far LNGBA's largest expense.
• Facilities Fees: New in 2023.  We are charged for gym space for each and every practice. 
• Uniforms - we usually can do 3 years with a set of uniforms, with a cost of over $125.
• Supplies:  The cost of quality indoor basketballs has increased by 50% in the past 3 years.  Each team is provided with 10, and while we keep using them until worn out, even replacing 20% annually amounts to over $2500!  Personalized Shooting Shirts are provided to every player each year, and all players new to LNGBA receive a reversible practice jersey.  These little expenses add up!
• Coaching costs:  We require background checks and provide multiple training events for our coaches.
• Tryouts:  Our high school staff is paid for their evening and weekend time to run tryouts, and we have to pay for the gym space.
• Administrative costs:  Most don't think about the behind the scenes extra expenses, like Insurance, MYAS membership, SportsEngine web hosting, etc.  LNGBA board members receive no compensation (unless they are providing a service that would otherwise require the hiring of an outside party)
• A graph breaking down the expenses is provided on the Traveling home page on the LNGBA website.

Question:  Where are practices held?

Travel teams typically practice at Lakeville North HS, Kenwood Trail MS, and Century Middle School.

Question:  What is the refund policy?

If registered for traveling basketball and player does not make a traveling team, that player is automatically added to our Rec program (if their grade level is available). The registration fee will be applied toward the cost of the Rec program. If the player chooses not to play Rec League basketball, the tryout fee will not be refunded.  Refunds will not be given for players who decide to not play basketball after being placed on a specific Traveling roster.  

For players who suffer season-ending injuries, please reach out to the traveling director for consideration of fee refunds.

Question:  What is the volunteer bond for?

Our association keeps costs down by hosting an annual girls’ travel basketball tournament.  This tournament is our primary fundraiser that requires participation by all families in the Travel Program.  If you choose not to volunteer, this check will be cashed by the association.  For everyone else, this check will be destroyed.  The volunteer bond is $300 per child.  

Question:  Can I coach?

Our program relies on volunteer parent coaches!  We select head coaches based on experience, attitude toward player development, and fit with the program.  We appreciate the opportunity to consider new coaches every season. Interviews are conducted of those expressing an interest, and coaches are not assigned until teams are formed.  Volunteering to coach will have no impact on what team your daughter is selected for (tryout evaluators will not have access to coach application information until after teams are formed).  LNGBA provides coach training sessions before and throughout the season – those selected for coaching assignments should plan on attending those sessions whenever possible.

All Coaches (Assistant and Head) must complete the requirements of Trusted Coaches, an organization that provides training on concussions, abuse detection and prevention, and a criminal background check.

On occasion, if no qualified parents volunteer or LNGBA otherwise determines that a team is best served by adding a paid coach, the Association may add paid coaches.  Any team utilizing a paid coach will have an additional expense for all players.

Parent Behavior Expectations

It is expected and required of parents to show sportsmanship and respect for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other association event.  This includes refraining from “coaching” their daughter from the sidelines, and parents must never confront a coach “in the heat of the battle.”

In the event where a coach or other parent observes improper parental behavior, a face to face meeting will be scheduled with Board Representation, which may result in disciplinary action up to and including the following options:

Verbal warning

Written warning

Parental tournament or game suspension with written documentation of incident

Parental season suspension

Child being removed from the program

Question:  I have some ideas on how to improve LNGBA Traveling.  Who can I contact?

We want to hear your suggestions!  Ideas, comments and concerns about our Traveling Program may be sent to the Traveling Director at: TravelingLNGBA@gmail.com.