NCSAA Basketball Championships

Thursday, March 5, 2015 - Saturday, March 7, 2015

2015 NCSAA Basketball Championships

Boys' Varsity Basketball Girls' Varsity Basketball March 5-7, 2015 Family First Sports Park (Erie, PA) Final Registration Deadline - Monday, February 16, 2015

 Date:  March 5-7, 2015

Registration Deadline:

The 2015 NCSAA Basketball Championships is open to girls' varsity basketball and boys' varsity basketball teams.  Teams from any region of the country are welcome to attend.

This tournament will be limited to a maximum of 64 teams (comprised of a maximum of 32 girls' varsity basketball teams and a maximum of 40 boys' varsity basketball teams).  Register soon in order to be sure to claim a spot!

The final registration deadline is February 16, 2015. At that time we will close registration to begin making the brackets and schedule for the tournament.

Tournament Format:

• This tournament will be limited to a maximum of 64 teams (comprised of a maximum of 32 girls' varsity basketball teams and a maximum of 40 boys' varsity basketball teams) -- which will compete in as many as six girls' basketball and seven boys' basketball divisions.
• Teams will be placed into divisions (Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, etc) based on the results of Opening Round match-up games, or based on pre-tournament seeding (depending upon the total number of teams registered).  We put a lot of work into making sure your team will be placed in a fitting division where you will have a good competitive experience; that commitment is one of the distinctives of our tournaments.  If you have any question about divisional breakdown, please feel free to contact us with your questions.
• Homeschool teams are welcome to participate, as long as their players meet our eligibility requirements.  (1 - All players must be regular members of your team during the season.  2 - High school graduates are not permitted to participate with your team. 3 - All team members must be homeschooled or not a member of any other school basketball team.)  If you are a homeschool team that is interested in participating, please be sure that your players meet these requirements.  Feel free to call for clarification, if necessary.

Tournament Features and Information:

Tournament Description:

• The NCSAA Basketball Championships offers an exciting post-season championship tournament experience -- in a Christ-centered environment -- for your basketball teams.  Highly-organized and hosted at excellent facilities, this event allows teams of all sizes and levels to finish their seasons with the challenge and reward of a competitive post-season tournament -- and also provides significant opportunity for your players to gain exposure to college coaches and recruiters.

Tournament Format:

• This tournament is open to Christian and private schools from any region of the country. The tournament will be limited to a maximum of 64 teams (comprised of a maximum of 32 girls' varsity basketball teams and a maximum of 40 boys' varsity basketball teams) -- which will compete in as many as six girls' basketball and seven boys' basketball divisions.
• Boys and girls in grades 7-12 are eligible to compete.
• Each team will play three or four games during the tournament.  If you have any concern regarding the number of games your team might play, please give us a call.
• A special evening of basketball skills contests (Point Guard Challenge, Three-Point Shootout, and Slam Dunk Contest) will be held on Friday night.

Closing Ceremony and Awards:

• All participating teams will be recognized during each division's closing ceremony, which will also include a special time of recognition and prayer for each team's senior athletes.  Each senior athlete will receive a special gift from NCSAA.
• Awards will be presented to the 1st and 2nd place teams in each division.
• A number of players from each team will be named to an All-Tournament Team and will be presented with specially-designed NCSAA All-Tournament Team patches to recognize their selection to this team.  Each team will also have the opportunity to nominate players for consideration for the annual NCSAA Super-Regional and All-American Teams.  (Some of your top players may also want to consider attending the following week's NCSAA Basketball Junior-Senior Showcase Games, as well!)

Christ-Centered Environment and Team-Building Opportunities:

• The opportunity to go away to a tournament provides a great time for teammates to grow closer, and we structure our tournaments to encourage this team-building.  We are intentional about providing a consistent spiritual challenge for your athletes throughout the event --from the devotional challenges at the Opening Program and the Friday evening skills contests, to the unique Scripture reading and devotional booklet provided to all of your athletes for their use during each day of the event, to the spirit of mutual encouragement and healthy competition typically displayed at this event, to the unified time of team prayer for senior athletes at the Closing Ceremony.  This NCSAA event is distinctive in its goal of being more than just an athletic event; we desire that your players deepen their relationships with God and their teammates during their time here!
• Various Christian colleges and universities sponsor this tournament, and various colleges may have representatives present at the tournament to interact with the student-athletes.  We will also make available an informational kiosk where students and families can pick up brochures and other items from the various Christian colleges.  When your team is at the tournament, you can encourage your athletes to interact with the colleges that attend, visit the kiosk, and do some research into the schools.  Teams that attend our tournaments have remarked that these oppotunities has been very valuable, as the event doubles as an opportunity to expose your athletes to the value of and options for Christian education beyond high school.

Beneficial Exposure for Your Athletes:

• Each team's top athletes will be recognized in the "Players to Watch" section of the packet given to all college coaches who attend the event (as well as many college coaches that request these materials after the tournament). This opportunity presents your players with a great chance to be seen by college coaches, scouts, and recruiters.
• Select games from the tournament may be broadcast live online (accessible via the NCSAA web site).  College coaches are able to follow these games and matches online, providing additional recruiting exposure for top teams and athletes -- and parents and fans are able to watch their teams play!

Location:

Family First Sports Park
8155 Oliver Road
Erie, PA  16509

Family First Sports Park houses four (4) regulation high school and college hardwood basketball courts at its facility in Erie, PA.  The 80-acre property also includes sixteen outdoor soccer fields, two indoor soccer fields, numerous outdoor basketball courts, and other attractions.

Check out details about the Park via the links below:

• Family First Sports Park - Home Page
• Housing and Conference Center
• Local Attractions

Team Registration Fee (per team, per event):

$350 for NCSAA full member schools
$425 for non-member schools

Your registration fee is non-refundable, except in the event of the cancellation of the tournament.

Ask about our Team Sponsorship Program, if you'd like more information about how your team can reduce your costs of attending, via the use of this program.  We'd be happy to send you some information on this new money-saving resource!

All teams are expected to pay their full registration fees by the registration deadline date.  Any exceptions to this rule must be discussed with and approved by NCSAA.  If you have any questions regarding this procedure (or if you are already late with your payment), please contact us ASAP.

Individual Athlete Fee:

$25 per athlete (NCSAA full member schools), $30 per athlete (non-member schools)

In an effort to keep the costs of the tournament as low as possible, we also provide the following way for teams to reduce their athlete fees:

* Any team that is a part of an NCSAA Partner League will have their athlete fees reduced by the percentage of full membership represented in the league.  (For example, if 100% of the teams in your Partner League are NCSAA full member schools, you will receive a 100% reduction on your athlete fees.  If 25% of the schools in your Partner League are full member schools, you will receive a 25% reduction on your athlete fees.  Etc...)  Click here for more information about becoming an NCSAA Partner League.  (In order to qualify for the league discounts, a Partner League must have at least six total schools, and at least two of those schools must be full members.)

The individual athlete fee covers and provides access to:

• Tournament Costs -- Provision of all tournament activities and services to the athlete.  Our costs in putting on this tournament exceed the total amount of entry fees collected, so the athlete fees help to pay the costs of this event.
• Free Admission -- We encourage parents and families to come out to see their teams play, and the athlete fees allow us to offer free admission (for all three days of the tournament).  We are happy to be able to make attendance of the tournament games affordable for your families!
• Team Discount Card (when available) -- Every athlete that attends the tournament will receive a discount card, which can be used to receive discounts from a variety of local restaurants and businesses.  We hope this will help your team to save money on some of your expenses during the tournament.  Please ask us for discount cards (available at no cost) for your coaches and families, as well, if that is a help to you!  NOTE: A discount card is not produced for every tournament, but when we are able to arrange for some local discounts, we will make a card available.  If you're wondering whether a card will be available for this tournament, please call to inquire.!

Individual athlete fees are due upon your arrival at the tournament. (Most schools have their athletes contribute to cover this fee.)  If you have any questions regarding these fees, please contact us ASAP.

Ask about our Team Sponsorship Program, if you'd like more information about how your team can reduce your costs of attending, via the use of this program.  We'd be happy to send you some information on this new money-saving resource!

Withdrawals:

We understand that occasionally there may be reason for a team to withdraw from a tournament, after having already registered. If any team must withdraw after already registering for the tournament, that team still will be expected to honor its commitment to pay the full team registration fees. NCSAA must budget based on the number of registered teams, and all fees for all registered spots are critical in order to plan for and conduct a successful tournament. Thanks for your understanding of this!

In addition, any team that withdraws from a tournament one week (or less) before the start of a tournament will be required to pay an additional $200 late withdrawal fee (per team), in order to allow us to recoup extra expenses that will we incur in such a circumstance.  If you do have to withdraw after having registered, please do so as early as possible -- to avoid this extra fee.

Lodging and Meals:

Listed below are some options for your team lodging and meals, for those of you who will be coming from out of town:

Housing and Conference Center Option:  $105 per person (3 nights) / $70 per person (2 nights)

This is a very reduced rate that Family First Sports Park offers to NCSAA.

Please contact Nate Hartman at NCSAA (724-846-2764) in order to make your lodging and meals arrangements.  Space is limited, so please call as soon as possible!

• The 3-night fee covers lodging for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights, as well as meals for Thursday and Friday (breakfast / lunch / dinner) and Saturday (breakfast).  The 2-night fee covers lodging for Thursday and Friday nights, as well as meals for Thursday (dinner), Friday (breakfast / lunch / dinner) and Saturday (breakfast).
• Each team staying in the Housing Center is required to have its coaches or adult chaperones staying on-site, as well.
• Space is the Housing Center is limited, so be sure to call soon if you want to reserve rooms for your teams to stay on-site.
• You will pay Family First Sports Park directly for your housing and meals. You will not pay NCSAA for these costs.
• Visit the Family First Sports Park web site via this link for more information about the Housing and Conference Center.

Hotel Options: 

We've been able to negotiate a group rate at the local SpringHill Suites.  If you choose to stay at this hotel, please contact the hotel directly and ask for the group rate for the NCSAA tournament.  You will pay the hotel directly.

SpringHill Suites - $100 / night (while availability lasts)
     Phone: 814-864-5000
     Bedroom (2 double beds or 1 king bed) and living area with pull-out sofa
     Includes hot breakfast buffet, indoor pool, fitness room

Directions:

Family First Sports Park is located at 8155 Oliver Road, Erie, PA 16509.

From Pittsburgh and South:
Take I-79 North to Exit 178A (I-90 East, toward Buffalo). Follow to Exit 24 (Peach Street). Then turn right, and proceed to Oliver Road (at the next traffic light -- 0.4 miles). Turn right onto Oliver Road, and the Park will be on your left side (0.2 miles).

From Buffalo and East:
Take I-90 West to Exit 24 (Peach Street). Then turn left, and proceed to Oliver Road (at the next traffic light -- 0.4 miles). Turn right onto Oliver Road, and the Park will be on your left side (0.2 miles).

From Cleveland and West:
Take I-90 East to Exit 24 (Peach Street). Then turn right, and proceed to Oliver Road (at the next traffic light -- 0.4 miles). Turn right onto Oliver Road, and the Park will be on your left side (0.2 miles).