The MBA provides the opportunity for boys and girls in grades 4th-8th who live in Montgomery Township or Rocky Hill to play competitive basketball against teams from other towns. Tryouts are scheduled in September/October, with practices starting in November and games scheduled from December through mid-March.

The goals of the MBA travel program are to help young basketball players

1. develop their skills individually and collectively as a team in a competitive environment,
2. build character and leadership skills, and
3. exhibit fair play and good sportsmanship.

The MBA seeks to improve each player’s individual skills (such as ball-handling, passing, shooting and defense) and basketball IQ (good decision making, handling pressure, situational awareness) while teaching that success comes from hard work, commitment and teamwork. Understanding team play, the importance of practice and preparation, and being accountable to your teammates and coaches are all key components of being a successful basketball player and good teammate. While every team strives to win, it is not the primary goal. The focus is on understanding what it takes to compete while exhibiting good sportsmanship and team play.

The travel teams are selected by the Travel Selection Committee (“TSC”) after the conclusion of tryouts.  The TSC is comprised of members of the MBA Board, including:

• President
• Treasurer
• Travel VP
• MBA Board Members (who do not have a child in the program being evaluated)

The MBA forms a team for each grade level, mutltiple teams are possible depending on the number of players with travel level ability and interest in each grade. The roster size for each team is usually between 10-12 players, with practice player position available at coach's discretion.

Players will be evaluated on a wide range of skills in drills, game-like situations and scrimmages by independent outside evaluators and past and current travel coaches who do not have a child in that grade level. Evaluations will include scoring in at least 6 categories: ball-handling, passing, shooting, defense, rebounding, and intangibles (e.g., hustle, good sportsmanship, coachability).

Tryouts will be closed to everyone other than evaluators and persons assisting with tryouts in order to provide all participants within the session an environment that promotes self-motivation, focus and cooperation. 

There are two days of tryouts. Players must attend at least one tryout session. Attendance at both sessions is strongly encouraged. There will be one make-up session offered for conflicts, but players should make every effort to attend both tryouts with their grade level to ensure the most optimal conditions for a fair and accurate evaluation. 

Final selection and placement on each travel team will be done by the TSC based on tryout evaluations, prior season evaluations (if applicable), and particular team needs. The goal is to place each player in the best possible position to develop their skills, be successful, and contribute to the overall development of the team.   

Players are strongly encouraged to try out and play with their grade level. Only in rare instances will a player be considered for placement on the next higher grade level team. All decisions are within the sole discretion of the TSC based on consideration of all of the following factors:

1. whether a player is consistently dominant at his/her current grade level,
2. whether it is in the best interests of both the team above and the grade level team,
3. whether the player would be considered a potential “starter” on the higher team,
4. whether placing that player on the higher grade level team would result in cutting a “travel ready” player in the higher grade level.  A 3rd grade player will not be placed on a 4th grade team unless there are not enough 4th grade players to fill the roster. 

As circumstances warrant, based on tryout evaluations, prior season evaluations, and the development of a particular team and an individual player, an elite travel player may be designated as a “Developmental” or “D” player for the grade level above. For example, a player rostered on the 5th grade travel team may be invited to practice and/or play some games with the 6th grade team in order to provide that player with a more competitive experience. Once a player is designated as a “D” player, he or she may be “called up” to the next grade level team from time to time at the discretion of that coach, in consultation with the Travel VP and the coach of the rostered team. 

Past participation on a travel team does not guarantee any child a spot on the current team as a player. Each year's evaluations are based on the players registered for tryouts, and the number and quality of players can change from year to year. As noted in FAQ #4, the final selection and placement on each travel team for any player will be based on the current year's tryout evaluations, prior season evaluations (if applicable), and the particular team needs for the current season.

Travel team coaches are selected by the TSC. If you are interested in coaching, please submit a statement of interest detailing your playing/coaching experience and any other relevant experience or community involvement by email to travel@montgomerybasketball.com. All coaches must have taken the Rutgers SAFETY clinic in order to coach in the MBA.

It is the expectation of the MBA that if your child is selected for an MBA travel team, basketball will be a priority during the season and that he/she will commit to attending each practice and each game. Practices are scheduled two evenings during the week starting in November with games mostly on the weekends (either Saturdays or Sundays) until mid-March. Of course, the MBA recognizes that illness, emergencies, and special school, religious or family events may arise during the course of the season. Those instances should be communicated to the coach as soon as they are known. Multiple absences may impact playing time and consideration of travel team selection in the future. For those who have questions about whether they can make this commitment for the entire season, please contact the Travel VP before accepting a spot on a team. The MBA is very proud to offer a strong and successful recreation program for all players in grades K-12.