The Near West Recreation basketball season takes place from January through the end of March.  Registration opens mid-November and ends before Christmas

Near West Recreation offers seven divisions:

• • U8 (ages 7-8)
  • U10 Recreation (boys ages 9-10, girls ages 9-11)
  • U10 Competitive (boys ages 9-10, girls ages 9-11)
  • U12 Recreation (boys ages 11-12, girls ages 11-13)
  • U12 Competitive (boys ages 11-12, girls ages 11-13)
  • U15  (ages 13-15)
  • U15 Girls Night (girls ages 13-15). More information to come for this division.

Participants will be placed on teams according to their age on January 1. Kids must turn 7 before March 1.

Recreation Division:
Best for newer players or those still developing skills. The focus is learning, fundamentals, and having fun in a supportive environment. Games use modified rules — including limited pressing — to keep play balanced and enjoyable.

Competitive Division:
Designed for more experienced players ready for a higher level of play. Games follow more traditional rules, including pressing and advanced defense, offering a faster pace and a fun but more challenging environment.

When: U8, U10, and U12 teams practice one weekday evening per week and play one game per week on Saturdays.  There maybe 1-2 weeknight games in March for U12 teams. U15 boys teams practices once a week and will play weeknight games in February and March. More information to come on U15 Girls Night league.  Special requests for certain days will be accommodated as possible.  Practices usually start the week of MLK Day.  Games start the first week in February and run through the end of March.

Locations: Games and practices are played on gyms around the Near West Side (churches, schools, community organizations). View Locations tab to see where all gyms are located.

Equipment:  Participants receive a team t-shirt. Tennis shoes are required for all participants.  Balls and other equipment are provided by Near West Recreation.

Cost: $55 per child. Need-based financial assistance is available.

Volunteer Coaches: We are always in need of volunteer head and assistant coaches.  We are looking for adults that have knowledge of the sport, can commit three to fours hours per week to practice and games, and most importantly can bring positive energy to the players they coach.  Background checks are required and paid for by Near West Recreation. We work with coaches to coordinate practice times that work with their schedule.  If interested, you can fill out the coach's form here.  We will contact you with more information.

If you have any questions, please contact Tyler Hatcher at nearwestrec@ohiocity.org or 216-781-3222 x 101