GBA Competitive Team Selection Process, Goals, and Guidelines
These guidelines establish a uniform process and criteria to assure the Gretna Basketball Association Competitive Boys and Girls program provides each player with a fair and equal opportunity to demonstrate his/her ability. These guidelines are also intended to promote the integrity of the selection process for each team. Every effort is made to place boys/girls where they are in the best position to be successful, where they can become part of a team, and where they can grow as a player.  
 
Tryout Participation Requirement
Please register your attendance prior to your tryout date. A player must attend Gretna Public Schools or live in the Gretna school district to participate in the GBA program. Players will tryout for the grade level they will be in during the 2020-2021 school year. No player is allowed to play up or down any grade level from that which they will be in during the 2020-2021 school year.
 
If your child cannot attend tryouts but would still like to be considered for a team they must still register to tryout and also email [email protected]  to let us know they will not be attending at the designated time. In these situations, the following procedures will be followed by the selection committee in an effort to place absent players appropriately:
*Prior year coaches evaluation will be reviewed and consulted along with coaches and others familiar with the excused player to obtain perspective of the player's basketball abilities compared to others at the same grade level.

Tryout Guidelines
Players will be assessed on their individual and team skills at tryouts. Individual skills include, but are not limited to: ball handling, offensive and defensive skills, passing, and general athletic ability. Various drills will be used to evaluate the players in these areas. Team skills include, but are not limited to: offensive and defensive skills in a team environment, court awareness and decision making, passing ability and overall competitiveness. 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 scrimmages will be used to evaluate the players in these areas. 

Players are encouraged to remember that basketball is a team sport, and team selection is not based on points scored. During the tryout process, evaluators will be looking for players who possess the basic fundamentals of basketball, rather than a player that scores the most baskets.

The Gretna Basketball Association strives to provide opportunities for all Gretna area youth to participate in basketball. Our GBA programs consist of different levels of competition that are both a feeder program for Gretna High School, and an opportunity for all Gretna students to participate in, and gain a lifelong love of the game of basketball. Below is a summary of our 3rd through 8th grade basketball teams that compete in Omaha area leagues and tournaments. In addition to these teams, we offer a Fundamental league for 1st through 6th graders that provides an introduction to basketball and focuses on fundamental skills. The Fundamental League is open to all Gretna area residents and is recommended for those new to the sport (See the Fundamental League page for more details).



GBA Select

GBA Select will consist of the top 25-30 players per grade from a tryout to make up to three teams.  The top 8-10 players, that are determined to be able to compete at an upper silver level or higher, will be selected to the GBA Elite team.  The GBA Elite team will have an additional practice per week and will have added tournament opportunities.  The remaining selected players will be broken out between 2 teams to ensure an appropriate split of height and ball handling.  If it is determined that the top 8-10 players would not be able to compete at an upper silver or higher level, then there will be up to three appropriately split teams.  To make a GBA select team, all players must have basketball skills and experience to play at a competitive level.

GBA Club

All players who are not selected to play on a GBA Select team, will be able to register for a GBA Club Team that will be put together in early September and will participate in an Omaha league that is appropriate for the skill level of that team.  To participate on a GBA Club Team, it is not necessary to tryout, and all players will be allowed to play subject to team availability.

1. Select teams will be announced within one week of tryouts.  Once initial rosters are announced, players will have one week to register to accept their spot on a team.  An initial payment will be required at registration with payment plans available.  GBA wants all youth to be able to participate, regardless of financial ability.  To request financial support from GBA, please contact GBA at [email protected]

2.  Refunds are only given due to medical reasons or if player moves to another school.  Refunds for any other reason will be at GBA discretion.   

3. If you are interested in coaching your child's team, please volunteer during the registration process, or contact Chris Rhoades ([email protected]) with your request. Volunteering to coach does not guarantee you a coaching position.

4.  It will be a best efforts to announce coaches at the time rosters are announced.  Coaches will be determined by GBA based on experience, feedback, and overall basketball knowledge.  GBA coaches will be required to complete a background check satisfactory to GBA and complete appropriate safe kids training and other training as required by GBA.

5.  If you have any questions, please contact us at: [email protected]