SGM Basketball
Competitive Team Selection Process (5th-8th grade)
The goal of the selection process is to select a competitive team in as fair and transparent a process as
possible. Selections for the competitive teams will be based on two factors: (1) previous coaches’
evaluations, and (2) independent evaluations. The SGM Basketball Commissioners will submit proposed
selections for the competitive teams to the SGM Sports Council, who will make the final decision on
team placement. A commissioner will not be responsible for final recommendations for the competitive
team for the grade/gender involving the commissioner’s child.
Coaches’ Evaluations
Coaches from the previous year will be asked for their evaluation of their players’ performance, and
evaluations will be used in conjunction with evaluators’ comments to select teams. Coaches will be
asked to evaluate basic basketball skills (ballhandling, shooting, defense and rebounding) as well as
other relevant observations about the player which may be helpful for the decision-making process.
Evaluation Sessions
SGM will hold two in-person evaluation sessions per grade level /gender. Grade levels may be combined
for evaluations depending on gym availability and number of players. A child must be present for at
least one session to be considered for the competitive team, but it is recommended the child attend
both sessions. If the child cannot make either session, the child can make arrangements with the
commissioners to attend an evaluation session of a different grade level if needed.
Each session will have at least one neutral evaluator present from the parish, but who will not have a
child in the grade level/gender for which he/she is evaluating. The goal will be to have two evaluators at
each session. The Commissioners will run the evaluation sessions, but will not be the evaluators.
Players will be evaluated based on basic basketball skills (ballhandling, shooting, defense and
rebounding).
Evaluations will be held in a closed gym, without parents or additional coaches.
Miscellaneous
Players must be eligible for Archdiocesan playoffs in order to be selected for the competitive team.
Players who require waivers from other parishes are not eligible for the competitive team.
The total number of players on the competitive team will depend on a number of factors, including the
numbers of players in class and expected conflicts for players on team. A typical competitive team will
range between 8-10 players.
The goal of the process is to select the best competitive team, which may not necessarily include only
the most talented players. For example, the child’s expected position may be considered in the
selection process.
Competitive teams will not be required to play in the “A” division for their grade level.
If an insufficient number of players to complete a full competitive team attend the evaluations,
commissioners may select players who did not attend the evaluation sessions based on coaches’
evaluations.
SGM/Non-SGM school status will not be a factor in selecting competitive teams. After the competitive
team is selected, remaining recreational teams will be balanced among skill level and SGM/non-SGM
school participants according to the SGM Sports Handbook.
Players will ordinarily be selected for the competitive teams without consideration of their parents’
coaching status. In other words, players will be selected for the competitive team first, then the
Commissioners will determine the coach(es) of the competitive team. However, a parent’s willingness
to be the head coach for the competitive team may be considered if there are no alternative coaching
options for the competitive team. The competitive team head coach may only select an assistant coach
based on the players who are already on the competitive team. Head coaches of recreational teams will
be allowed to select one assistant coach with whom to coach, and the child of the assistant coach will be
placed on that head coach’s team.