Dear ,

Last Sunday, January 4, marked Opening Day of the 2026 WHGBL season—and what a tremendous way to begin another year of girls basketball in West Hartford. The gyms were full of energy, the games were competitive, and it was inspiring to see our players take the floor with confidence, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship.

As is typical on Opening Day, not everything ran as smoothly as we would ideally like. That said, the overwhelming feedback from parents, players, coaches, and league officials has been tremendously positive, and we are proud of the collective effort that made the day such a success. Most importantly, our players had fun, learned, and represented the league well.

We are excited to build on that momentum and cannot wait for Week 2 games tomorrow.

📰LEAGUE LINES

💺Seating at Conard (Minors Division)
Some parents had questions regarding seating during Minors Division games at Conard. The bleachers are provided by the Conard facility through the Town of West Hartford. For Minors games, the two outside smaller courts must be used, and as a result, all bleacher sections cannot be fully opened. Certain sections extend onto or interfere with the Minors courts, which would create safety concerns for players and make the court unplayable.

There was also a communication error between the league and facility security staff regarding accommodations for elderly spectators or spectators with injuries. There is a designated viewing area behind the scorer’s table during Minors Division games where these spectators may sit or stand. This area was not opened for Week 1 games but will be available going forward. Please note: this area is reserved strictly for elderly or injured spectators who cannot safely access the stands. It is not intended for healthy spectators seeking a better view. The purpose of this area is to avoid spectators standing in the wings of the gym, which poses injury risks to both players and spectators.

We apologize for the inconvenience last week and appreciate your understanding. The communication gap has been resolved.

📸Photo Day – Sunday, January 11
Tomorrow is Photo Day for all divisions. Click this link PHOTO SCHEDULE to review the photo schedule for each team or click on the button located at the bottom of this newsletter. Participation in the team photo is mandatory (or at least, strongly encouraged). Parents may also elect to purchase individual photos of their daughter. Individual photos are available for purchase and require completion of the pre-order form.
Please click this link PRE-ORDER FORM to access the pre-order from or click the button below to access the pre-order form.  Please use the code WHGirlsBB2026 when completing the form.

🔆Scores & Standings
Scores and standings for the Juniors and Seniors Divisions are now available on the league website www.whgbl.org. Simply click the “Divisions” dropdown menu and select “Juniors” or “Seniors.”
PLEASE NOTE: scores and standings are not tracked for the Minors Division.

👕League Apparel Store
The WHGBL is excited to launch its new League Apparel Store, featuring great items for players and parents. Your support helps promote the league throughout the community.
Click this link WHGBL APPAREL STORE to access the store.

📲Parent Communication of Player Availability
Parents are reminded that failure to confirm game and practice availability of your daughter through the team page on the league website may result in a loss of playing time, at the discretion of the Head Coach. Additionally, arriving late to a game may result in no playing time for that game. Timely communication is essential to effective coaching, fair rotations and showing respect for teammates.  Please contact your team's Head Coach for any questions about using the "Availability System" on the team page of the league's website.

💎No Jewelry / Hair Beads Policy
For the safety of players and officials, jewelry and hair beads are not permitted at any practices or games.
Click this link JEWELRY/HAIR BEADS POLICY to review the full policy.

⏱️Juniors Division – Week 1 Schedule Timing
The league recognizes that some Juniors games ran longer than expected last week. This was largely due to coaches continuing to learn and apply the league’s rotation system, which ensures players receive as equal playing time as possible. Additionally, the WHGBL is a teaching league. In the early weeks of the season, referees will pause play to explain fouls or correct behaviors—for example, proper positioning during foul shots. These teaching moments can extend game times early in the season. Games typically run on schedule by Weeks 2 or 3. We appreciate your patience as players continue to learn the game.

🏀COACHES’ CORNER

🛡️Inbounding Fundamentals
Coaches are continuing to work with players on proper inbounding technique, with emphasis on court awareness and remaining behind the line while inbounding the ball.  Players, parents and coaches, should click this link INBOUNDING to see the league video on how to teach inbounding the ball.

⛹️‍♀️Ball Stealing – Minors Division
Some parents asked about ball stealing in the Minors Division. Players are allowed to steal the ball. Protecting the ball and aggressive pursuit (without fouling) are fundamental basketball skills and are strongly encouraged.  Click this link FIGHTING FOR THE BALL to see the league video on how to teach players to steal the ball when a player is not protecting the ball.

📡Player Availability Communication
The league asks all coaches to connect with parents—either in person or by phone—to ensure families are comfortable using the availability communication system on the team page of the league website.

⚖️RULES REMINDER

⌚3-Second Violations (Juniors & Seniors)
A 3-second count does not begin until the offensive team brings the ball across mid-court. Additionally, a 3 count does not apply if a player is actively shooting, missing, rebounding, and immediately putting the ball back up while in the paint.

⬅️Backcourt Violation
A backcourt violation occurs only when both feet and the ball cross the mid-court line.

🔃Score Reset – Minors Division
If a Minors team leads by 20 or more points at the end of a quarter, the score resets to 0–0.

🕰️Clock Stoppage – Juniors Division
With one minute remaining in a Juniors game, the clock does not start until the offense brings the ball across mid-court. There is no Neutral Zone in the final minute; defensive play may begin immediately once the ball crosses mid-court.

🌟SPONSOR’S SPOTLIGHT

HARP Home Services

We are proud to recognize HARP Home Services as a valued sponsor of the WHGBL. Their continued support helps make our league possible and strengthens youth sports in our community. Please consider supporting the businesses that support our players.  Below is information from HARP Home Services about their organization.

As we celebrate Photo Day for the West Hartford Girls Basketball League, we are proud to spotlight HARP Home Services, a trusted home comfort company based right here in Windsor, Connecticut. HARP has been helping Connecticut families stay comfortable, safe, and energy-efficient year-round for more than 30 years. Their reputation is built on professional expertise, responsive service, and a genuine commitment to putting customers first. HARP’s approach is simple and values-led: they operate by the Golden Rule—treating homeowners the way they’d want to be treated—with respect, integrity, and clear communication at the center of every visit.

HARP provides full-service home support—heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical—including 24/7 emergency service for those “this can’t wait” moments. What families appreciate most is the promise of up-front pricing with no surprises, no emergency charges, and protections like all-inclusive warranties and their no breakdown guarantee—so you can make confident decisions without pressure.

As a proud supporter of youth sports and the West Hartford Girls Basketball League, HARP understands the importance of investing in the community. When you choose HARP Home Services, you are not only choosing a reliable partner for your home—you are also supporting a local business that gives back. Be sure to mention this Sponsor’s Spotlight and you'll receive a $50 Credit towards any repair.

For more information, visit our website:  HARP Home Services

When contacting HARP, be sure to thank them for their continued support of our league and our players.

💭PARTING PERSPECTIVES

Opening Day reminded us why the WHGBL exists: to teach the fundamentals of basketball, build confidence, and create meaningful experiences for our players and families. Thank you for your patience, support, and enthusiasm as we begin another exciting season.

We strongly encourage families to join us in the gym this Sunday, support your teams, visit the League Apparel Store, and be sure to participate in Photo Day—these moments pass quickly, and you will be glad you captured them.

We look forward to seeing everyone on the court this weekend.

Take care,

Shawn Daly

"Teaching leadership skills through the fundamentals of basketball"