Elementary School Basketball Shooting To Get Students Involved
A look at how elementary schools in the Holy Trinity Catholic School Division are trying to get the kids out playing basketball
The benches and chairs were full on Thursday afternoon as St Margaret took on their rival St Agnes elementary girls team.
The game was much more than the 33 - 8 St Agnes victory.
It was a story about playing within the physical limitations where the sideline seating had spectators’ feet literally dangling onto the court.
Feet that had to be moved quickly if a player came dribbling down the line.
A short bench literally meant a short bench.
It was about a game where there was more than a little laughing and giggling - that was just the parents who took the time to come out and watch.
But seriously it was elementary school basketball at its finest.
A behaved and respectful crowd and players playing their hearts out.
The place where high school basketball truly starts.
Working the key - MJ Independent photo
“I think it’s the beginning of the season and lots of girls are learning the game which is a great thing,” said St Margaret’s fill in coach Katherine King, adding “because we want kids to come out no matter what their skill level is. At Holy Trinity, we want kids to be active. We want kids to join groups so they feel like they belong.”
King coaches the boys basketball team and is also the principal at St Margaret’s School.
Elementary school basketball is all about participation making it important for student development.
“I would have to say extremely important because we want kids at this level to try new things. It’s not like a club sport or tier hockey where you have to try out for a team. We want everybody to join because you never know what you’re good at,” King said.
Mid court - MJ Independent photo
“Important to try things. To learn new things and be part of a team..”
Team sports - especially basketball - helps to build character in a number of ways, she said.
“I think it’s good for the boys and the girls team to learn how to cheer each other on. To be positive, even if you’re not winning and an opportunity for students to be leaders on the team.”
The mentorship between the older grade eight students and the grade six students was something she saw as great.
Sportsmanship and being respectful of others is something the coaches teach the players plus additionally the referees instruct the players in sportsmanship and the rules around being respectful she said.
“They learn to cheer each other on even if it’s the other team.”
If the team is losing the main thrust, then is to highlight the positives.
“Every shift is continuing learning and get up and do better.”
Throwing the ball back into play can literally be throwing it back into play from the bench - MJ Independent photo
One of the major things spoken about in the high school basketball community is the need to have the elementary schools help get children interested in the sport and then continue on in high school.
To do this St Margaret’s go from classroom to classroom asking students if they would like to come and give basketball a try.
“We talk to kids individually and encourage them to come out and join…we say come out for a couple of practices and see if you like it. Don’t make a decision without actually trying it,” King said.
“We even phone parents and say we think this would be good thing for your child to try.”
Elementary school basketball does have other competitors outside of the school for players. Most notably club volleyball.
Having a short bench in basketball usually means not having enough players for the team. In elementary basketball it often means having a player sit on the floor as the bench is not big enough - MJ Independent photo
“We do see volleyball is becoming more popular in Saskatchewan and Moose Jaw which is a wonderful thing so hopefully those girls try to play basketball even though they are playing club volleyball,” King said.
Members of the basketball community throughout Saskatchewan spoke to MJ Independents off the record and confirmed that club volleyball has been a major hit on high school basketball programs especially for girls.
They also spoke about the importance of elementary schools to start the development of high school athletes.
St Margaret’s has reached out to outside help to help develop players’ skills in hopes of keeping them in the sport.
A coach instructs her team during a time out - MJ Independent photo
Rick Bell Elementary Athletic Coordinator for the Holy Trinity Catholic School Division (HTCSD) said the basketball program is important for a number of reasons.
“It’s extremely important. It gives kids a chance to come out and try a sport and to see what they’re good at. We’ve got a number of schools that promote and build their programs so we want to make sure we are always developing as we are a feeder system for high school,” Bell said.
High school basketball coaches are quick to point out getting students involved starts in elementary school.
Bell was quick to point out looking at the high school basketball teams in the city there are a number of players coming out of the HTCSD elementary athletics system.
If there is help from Vanier Collegiate, or other outside party, he said the division does not do that but it is left up to each individual school.
Throwing the ball back in - MJ Independent
“When I was teaching at Vanier that is one thing I did. I brought the teams to the elementary schools. Some girls to do some coaching. To do some skills development,” he said.
Bell - who has help the HTCSD elementary school athletics director position for three years - said athletics is recovering at varying rates depending on the sport after the COVID - 19 pandemic.
“There’s definitely been a growth. Some sports more than others. In more individual sports you can see the growth…team sports there is growth. We need to develop our coaches as well. to make sure these kids that are playing are developing the skills that are necessary,” he said.
The size and skills of elementary school basketball players vary.
“Some schools go grades six, seven and eight (for players) other schools go just grades seven and eight. But if they need extra bodies they’ll go down to the grade sixes. So yeah you get some pretty tall girls in grade eight and you got some pretty short girls in grade six.”
Elementary School basketball can have some tight player to player coverage - MJ Independent photo
Playing with limited space around the court is a challenge, but it’s one that is being met by just adapting to make things work.
“We try to get some designated spaces to throw the ball in from. But yes the gyms are pretty cramped.”
Bell took it in stride as there are a lot of parents who come out to watch the games despite the often cramped quarters.
Despite the cramped quarters for spectators he nevertheless encourages parents to come out and take in their child’s games.
“It’s really important. The kids really want to perform in front of their parents.”
