Hi Everyone:

As you know, MN Governor Tim Walz announced last night that all youth sports in Minnesota are paused for 4 weeks, beginning midnight tomorrow, Friday, November 20th.

Minnesota Youth Athletic Services (MYAS), the organization that establishes guidelines for association-based youth basketball in MN, issued a statement of support for the pause. That statement can be found in our Documents section on the left menu of our website's home page.

CAA Basketball supports this decision. Here is what this decision means for us.

WHAT WE KNOW

• Unless the school district informs us otherwise today or tomorrow, teams may choose to hold practices as scheduled tonight and tomorrow night. Please follow COVID guidelines if you choose to practice tonight or tomorrow night.
• We are cancelling our traveling tournament, that was scheduled for December 19-20.
  • The tournament is our single biggest source of revenue for the program, netting us $50,000 or more annually, and we will study the impacts of this revenue loss over the coming weeks.
• Our 3rd grade season ends prematurely, effective November 20th.
  • We will be in touch regarding equipment return and any other end of season information
• Traveling teams will have no practices, scrimmages, or tournaments beginning November 21st, through at least December 18th.
  • Next scheduled tournaments for traveling teams:
    • Girls: January 9-10, 2021 at Wayzata
    • Boys: January 16-17, 2021 at Shakopee
• 4th-8th Grade Community League teams - WMGBL, SW League, Storm Hawks League
  • No practices, scrimmages or games beginning November 21st, through at least December 18th.
  • Pending confirmation from each league, first games for these leagues are postponed until at least January 9, 2021.
• Your coaches and CAA Basketball leaders will be in touch regarding activities for you to do during the pause to keep your game sharp.
  • Tons of resources on this Link to our "CAAStormHoops" YouTube Channel
• Our leadership group will discuss the general topic of potential refunds once we know more about the remainder of the CAA Basketball season, and study the ramifications of the season pause on our program as a whole.
• Registration for our 1st-2nd grade program remains open. Planned start date remains January 4th, 2021.

We plan to provide our next update no later than December 15th. All updates will be posted to the Home page of our website, so please use that as your primary resource for news and information.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW

• We are not sure what, if any, substantive updates we will be able to provide in the next 4 weeks.
• We do not know if our programs will be allowed to resume immediately after the 4 week pause, or if there will be a further extension. 
• We don't have any feel for when we will have access to gym space.
• Currently, we don't have any details regarding the subject of potential refunds for your program fees. We need to study the many ramifications of this pause, however long it extends, before we can discuss refunds in detail.
• Our crystal ball regarding the future of this season is no different than yours. You know everything we know at this time.

We are as disappointed as everyone else over the pause of our season. It is the last thing we wanted to happen, but we agree it is the best action to take at this time.

We thank you all for your continued patience and understanding as we navigate these strange waters.

We will be in touch when we have any news to share.

In the meantime, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, sharing it as creatively as you can with all your loved ones!

CAA Basketball Leaders

The 7G Gold team started the year 3-1 to take the Consolation trophy at the OMGBA tournament (Nov 7,8).  After a first round loss, the team strung together 3 wins.  In every game, they scored more points than the game before, and allowed fewer points than the game before.  Keep that trend going, girls!

Link to CAA Basketball COVID Plan, outlining expectations and responsibilities for everyone to do their part guarding against the spread of COVID-19. Please read thoroughly, understand completely, and follow the guidelines diligently.

This document is stored in the DOCUMENTS section on the left menu, inside the 2020-2021 SEASON INFORMATION folder.

The document may be updated as circumstances in our world change, and we will inform you of any updates.

Thank you all for your patience and cooperation as we navigate this season together.

REMINDER!! CAA Basketball registration for the 2020-2021 season is OPEN!!!

See the announcement below, and CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

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CAA Basketball Families:

The 2020-21 basketball season is quickly approaching, but the reality of what it will look like is still unclear.  We are planning for a normal season, but changes and disruptions are likely.  Our goal will be to provide updates on the season and our intentions in a timely manner.  Below is a summary of where we are today.

Registration opens August 1st for the following programs:

Boys Development League Grade 1

Boys Development League Grade 2

Girls Development League Grades 1-2

Boys Development League Grade 3 - REGISTRATION CLOSED

Girls Development League Grade 3 - REGISTRATION CLOSED

Boys Community League Grades 4-8 (SW League grades 6-8, STORM HAWKS League grades 4-5)

Girls Community League Grades 4-8 (West Metro Girls Basketball League)

Boys Travel Grades 4-8 - REGISTRATION CLOSED

Girls Travel Grades 4-8 - REGISTRATION CLOSED

What will these programs look like this year?

Much like school there is still uncertainty.  A summary of what each offering may look like is below.

DEVELOPMENTAL and COMMUNITY LEAGUES

Option 1:  Regular season and schedule aside from expected limitations on crowd sizes, social distancing, etc.

Option 2:  No leagues.  CAA would still hope to offer some sort of clinics/scrimmage opportunities as allowed by heath guidelines.

TRAVEL

Option 1:  Regular season and schedule aside from expected limitations on crowd sizes, social distancing, etc.

Option 2:  No tournaments.  CAA would still hope to offer some sort of clinics/scrimmage opportunities as allowed by heath guidelines.

Option 3:  Potential for league play with other communities.  May or may not be administered by MYAS.  Still have a number of details to work through.

When will each program begin? (more details available on Important Dates page)

Travel Tryouts for boys are scheduled for 9/20 and 9/27 at Chanhassen High School.

Travel Tryouts for girls are scheduled for 9/19 and 9/26 at Chanhassen High School.

3^rd Grade League starts October 3^rd.

Grades 4-8 Community League Evaluations are scheduled for October 24^th.

1^st-2^nd Leagues start January 4^th.

What will the cost be for each program?

Boys and Girls Development League Grade 1-3:  $90

Boys and Girls Community League Grades 4-8:  $140

Boys Travel Grade 4:  $405

Girls Travel Grade 4:  $390

Boys Travel Grades 5-8:  $485

Girls Travel Grades 5-8:  $470

A few additional points with respect to fees:

Chanhassen was a leader in moving to the no admission model for tournaments last year.  This year several more of the tournaments we will attend have adopted this model.  This is big step in the right direction for parents and other fans as they will no longer have to pay (as often) to see the kids play.  

No admission fees drives up the cost for each team to enter, and as a result upfront costs to CAA have increased significantly this year.  However, CAA did receive a modest refund form MYAS after Boys Grade State was cancelled last year, and we intend to use that amount to help offset cost increases. 

We will keep costs flat for all players during the upcoming season, which we thought was important given the current economic uncertainty.

Please understand this is a one year freeze and increased fees should be expected next year.

As always, scholarships are available to any family that needs assistance and Bill Kemble is happy to walk you through that process.

We appreciate your patience, understanding and welcome any questions or comments you may have.

Stay Healthy and Go Storm!

CAA Basketball is looking for volunteers to join our leadership team. Current available opportunities:

• Grades 4-8 Boys Community Leagues Leader
• Uniforms & Apparel Coordinator/Midwest 3-on-3 League Coordinator

Please reach out to any CAA Basketball Leader with questions, or to request an interview.

Thanks!