Dear ,

As we approach the end of the holiday season the excitement is building across the West Hartford Girls Basketball League as Opening Day is just about one week away. Our first games tip off on Sunday, January 4th, and we cannot wait to see our players, coaches, and families back in the gyms for another great season of girls basketball.

This weekly eNewsletter is designed to help players, parents, and coaches stay informed, aligned, and fully prepared as we head into the season. Please take a few moments to review the important information below.

📰 LEAGUE LINES

🧭 Spectator’s Code of Conduct

All spectators who attend WHGBL games MUST read and adhere to the league’s Spectator’s Code of Conduct. This document clearly outlines expected behaviors for everyone in attendance and helps ensure a positive, respectful, and safe environment for our players, coaches, officials, and fellow families.  To see this Code of Conduct - Click Here:  SPECTATOR'S CODE

🔎 Designated Viewing Areas

Player safety is of utmost importance to the league. In past seasons, we have experienced challenges at Minors Division games with spectators standing too close to the court due to difficulty sitting in the stands.

To address this, a designated spectator viewing area will be available this season behind the scorer’s table for Minors Division games. This area will allow spectators to sit or stand comfortably while remaining non-disruptive and, most importantly, out of harm’s way for our youngest players.

📸 Photo Day – Sunday, January 11

Photo Day is mandatory for all players.
All players must arrive at their designated location 30 minutes before the start of their game on Sunday, January 11th, to ensure team photos are taken on time.

• Conard High School (Minors & Seniors Divisions):
  Photos will be taken in the Conard Small Gym, located in the back of the main gym lobby.

• Sedgwick Middle School (Juniors Division):
  Photos will be taken in the Sedgwick Small Gym, adjacent to the large gym where games are played.

There is a cost for individual photos. Parents are encouraged to pre-order individual photos by completing the online form linked below.
➡️ Please see the photo schedule below for Sunday, January 11.

🎓 Scholarship Reminder

The WHGBL is proud to offer two scholarship opportunities each season:

• A $1,000 University/College Scholarship awarded to a high school senior who previously played in the league.  To learn about this scholarship, Click Here:  UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP

• A Basketball Camp/Clinic Scholarship of up to $500 to help fund a player’s attendance at an off-season basketball camp or clinic.  To learn about this scholarship, Click Here: CAMP/CLINIC SCHOLARSHIP

Additional details and application information will be shared later in the season.

📲Crossbar Mobile App

Please be sure to download the Crossbar Mobile app from your device’s app store. The app is the best way to stay connected with:

• Team schedules

• Practice updates

• League-wide announcements

• Game and event reminders

It is an essential tool for keeping up with everything WHGBL-related.

🏀 COACHES’ CORNER

In last week’s newsletter, we highlighted the importance of players understanding fundamentals such as layups, dribbling, ball handling, and proper positioning for jump balls, free throws, and inbound plays.

The league now has instructional videos available in the “Coaches Resources – Part 2: YouTube Videos" section, which demonstrate:

• Proper jump ball alignment (Click Here for the JUMP BALL video)

• Free throw positioning (Click Here for the FREE THROW video)

• Correct inbounding setups (Click Here for the INBOUNDING video)

Coaches are encouraged to review and have their players review these videos to ensure their teams are comfortable and confident with these concepts. As we head into Opening Day, teams should also continue to focus on refining the 5-out offense and reinforcing strong help side defensive principles.

• Click Here for the 5-OUT OFFENSE video)

• Click Here for the DEFENSE videos)

From the Training and Development Director, Craig Tanner:

When available, consider using time before your game as an extra practice.  Pre-plan your time before your game.  Have your team show up 30 - 45 minutes before the scheduled game time and work on items such as layups/shooting, 5-out offense, inbounding, help side defense and other items of note.

⚖️ RULES REMINDER

Please note the following timeout differences between divisions:

• Minors Division:
  Teams receive one timeout per game. However, the clock continues to run during the timeout.  The timeout only acts to stop play.  Coaches should never use their timeout to reduce playing time in the event of a close game.

• Juniors Division:
  Teams receive one timeout per half. If the timeout is not used during that half, it is lost.

• Seniors Division:
  Teams receive one timeout per half. If the first-half timeout is not used, it carries over to the second half, giving the team two timeouts in the second half.

• Overtime (Juniors and Seniors Divisions Only):
  Each team receives one timeout per overtime period. Timeouts do not carry over from regulation into overtime or from one overtime period to the next.  There is no overtime period in the Minors Division.

🌟 SPONSOR’S SPOTLIGHT

Dumont Law, LLC

Dumont Law LLC is woman-owned law firm focused on two main areas of practice: family law and and estate planning. In family law we assist families through exceptionally difficult transitions by way of divorces, child custody and visitation, child support, and grandparents rights.  In estate planning we assist families in considering the future by providing guidance in drafting wills, trusts and representing families in probate court litigation.

Dumont Law is proud to support the West Hartford Girls Basketball League. We believe the next generation of female basketball players will promote gender inclusivity in sports and create a platform for women to excel in sports and other spaces. As a WNBA Connecticut Suns Season ticket holder, Dumont Law enjoys supporting female basketball players from youth through professional sports.

Contact Dumont Law LLC for your legal needs at 860-348-5702 or mailto:info@dumontlawllc.com. Mention this newsletter and you will receive 25% off your initial consultation fee with Attorney Dumont.

We look forward to working with you!

💭 PARTING PERSPECTIVES

With Opening Day just around the corner, the energy and anticipation across our league continues to grow. From important safety updates and Photo Day logistics to coaching resources and rules reminders, we hope this newsletter helps everyone feel informed and ready for the season ahead. Thank you for your continued support of the West Hartford Girls Basketball League — we look forward to seeing full gyms, great sportsmanship, and our players learning, competing, and having fun starting January 4th.

See you at the games,

Shawn Daly

"Teaching leadership skills through the fundamentals of basketball"