Mission Statement

The mission of the Mahtomedi Basketball Association (MBA) is to provide boys and girls in grades 1 through 8, at various skill levels, an opportunity to play basketball in an organized environment that emphasizes skill development, teamwork, good sportsmanship, and fun.

Programs

The Mahtomedi Basketball Association offers an introduction to basketball for 1st and 2nd graders -- the Youth Program. This program helps young children learn and develop the skills of basketball, while emphasizing good sportsmanship, team play, and fun. Participants meet one night a week for approximately eight weeks.

The In-house Program has multiple girls and boys teams at three levels: 3rd/4th grade, 5th/6th grade, and 7th/8th grade. Teams are selected by draft in an effort to make the teams as even as possible within the program. All players who sign up will make a team. These teams compete in the Maplewood Park and Recreation Basketball League -- playing against teams from Maplewood, Oakdale, Little Canada, Stillwater and Cottage Grove. These teams practice one night a week and compete on ten Saturdays. There is also an end-of-season tournament.

The Traveling Program is the most competitive program with the Mahtomedi Basketball Association. There are girls and boys teams at five levels: 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade. Players are selected competitively based upon performances at tryouts. Teams are composed of 10 players. Teams practice two nights a week and complete in ten highly-competitive weekend tournaments around the Twin-Cities Metropolitan area (and sometimes beyond). There is also an end-of-season state tournament.

Funding and Tournaments

There is a participation fee at all levels. To keep these fees as low as possible, the Mahtomedi Basketball Association organizes two traveling basketball tournaments.

The MBA relies on parent and adult volunteers for coaches and support for fundraisers. The success of any organization is determined by the participation of its members. The more people who take an active role and volunteer, the better this organization will be. If you are interested in helping, please contact a board member.

Highlights

Last year, 427 boys and girls participated in Mahtomedi Basketball Association programs at all levels. There were five girls and seven boys traveling teams for grades 5 - 8. We had 21 in-house teams playing in the Maplewood League. There were 108 participants in the Youth Program for 1st and 2nd graders.

We appreciate input and feedback. Based on our end-of-the-year survey, almost all of you view our programs as a very positive experience for your child. We invite you to get involved. MBA Board meetings are held at the Middle School the second Wednesday of every month during the school year.

The MBA is supported in part by income earned at the Mahtomedi Tournaments. These tournaments reduce the registration costs for both In-House and Traveling and pay for expenses such as facility costs and uniforms. We appreciate the help of the parents who volunteered at concession stands and ticket booths. All In-house and Traveling teams are expected to provide adult workers for our tournaments. Plan on working at either the Girls Tournament December 5 - 7, 2008, or the Boys Tournament February 28 - March 1, 2009.

A big thank you to all the coaches and assistant coaches for volunteering their time and effort during the past season. Without their help our program would not exist. We hope many of you will coach again this season. The coaches need support from their players and parents. Let them know you appreciate their efforts throughout the upcoming season.