Winter Season

K-6th Grade Recreation teams that want to play even more!

What is the Winter Season?

A winter season option or "second season" for K-6th grade teams looking to continue practicing and playing games after the HYL fall season ends. Parents and coaches will work together to form teams. Most commonly, HYL volunteer coaches will see if their team would like to continue playing. If some, but not enough players want to continue, then HYL coaches will need to find other HYL teams to combine with to form a new team. Different then the HYL regular season, TEAMS WILL BE FORMED BY COACHES AND WILL REGISTER AS A TEAM, NOT INDIVIDUALLY. Teams do not need to be school based teams. They can have players from different schools and/or school districts much like a Club team.

HYL Winter Recreation Season

K-6th Grade

Registration: Coaches register the team on the HYL / Sports Engine website. 

Team Formation:

  • Teams are formed by coaches and parents; and registered as a team.  
  • The Winter Season is not a School Team only League. School teams are allowed and encouraged, but unlike the Fall School Recreational season, teams may have players from different schools and school districts rostered together. 

Practices: 1 x 1 hour practice per week.  HYL has scheduling agreements with Spokane Public Schools, Central Valley School District, and Mead School District and will coordinate practices for teams from these three districts. For teams outside of these three districts, HYL will provide the coach the point of contact at their school district to coordinate pracitces. Practices start week of January 11th-15th.  

Games: 

  • K-1st grade teams will play 5 games
  • 2nd-6th grade teams will play 6 games (4 regular season + 2 x Final Four games)*
  • All games on Saturdays

Game Play: 

  • K-2nd grade teams use the 27.5 (size 5) basketball and play on 8 foot hoops. 
  • 3rd grade teams use the 27.5 (size 5) basketball and play on the 10 foot hoops. 
  • 4th-6th grade teams use 28.5 (size 6 ) basketball and play on 10 foot hoops. 
  • (Click here for the complete HYL game rules)

Price: $450 per team (paid by the coach at registration)

Important Dates: 

  • November 24th: Team Registration opens
  • December 15: Registration closes
  • January 11-15: Practices begin and Jersey distribution
  • January 16th: Game Day 1
  • January 23: Game Day 2
  • January 30: Game Day 3 
  • February 6: Game Day 4
  • February 13: Game Day 5 (K-1 Grade: 1 x game scheduled; 2nd-6th Grade: 2 x Final Four Games)*

Additional Information: 

  • 2nd-6th Grade teams are guaranteed 2 x Final Four games no matter their win/loss record during the season.  Final Four brackets are based on regular season records with teams matched up against teams closest to their records and skill levels to provide the most competitive and enjoyable games to finish the season. 
  • Due to scheduling complexities, some teams will be required to play 2 x games on a Saturday during the season. If a team is schedule to play 2 x games on a Saturday, there will be a Saturday that they will not have a game.  
Registration opens November 24th

FREE AGENT FORM

If you do not have a team and would like assistance in joining one, please fill out the form below.
CLICK HERE

How to Form a Team & register

  • HYL Coaches determine if their Fall team would like to continue playing.
  • If some, but not enough players want to continue, contact other HYL coaches to combine with another team or to pick up additional players of the same grade.
  • Coaches will register their team and remit payment on Crossbar (same HYL registration site as the Fall League) and collect the team fees from each player.
  • There is no individual player registration, parents should reach out to coaches or other parents to find a team.
  • Games will run in the same fashion as the fall season, coaches referee, parents clock operate, 8' baskets, etc.
  • There is no charge for practice gyms based on availability from most, it not all participating school districts.