Since 2003, St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church has provided youth and adult basketball for players at every level. Sportsmanship and faith are cornerstones of our program. St. Mary Magdalene has supported more than 30 youth and adult basketball teams, representing more than 300 players. The league offers the following age groups for boys, girls, men and women:
• K4-1st Coed • 2nd-3rd Grade Boys & Girls • 4th-5th Grade Boys & Girls
• 6th-8th Grade Boys & Girls • 9th-12th Grade Boys & Girls • Adult (Men & Women)
Eligibility & Placement
1) The age of your child is based on their grade. Adult placement is based on age on Sept. 1, 2024. 2) Once an age group is full, players are placed on a waiting list until a new team is formed or space on an existing team becomes available. 3) While St. Mary Magdalene advertises all age groups that are available by the league, in order to form a team, the team must meet a minimum roster requirement of eight players and have a Safe Environment-certified coach. 4) Players who play school basketball are not eligible to play in this league. If a player is in tryouts for a school team, he/she may practice with St. Mary Magdalene until a decision is reached. Please inform your coach if your child is trying out for school basketball. If you've paid the registration fee, we will return your money if your child makes his/her school team. 5) There is no guarantee that your child will be placed on a particular team or practice time. 6) Non-parishioners are welcome to play for St. Mary Magdalene, but may be required to be actively involved in St. Mary Magdalene and it's programs, including fundraisers. All participants in our basketball program are encouraged to participate in functions of the church. Non-parishioners that belong to another church should not have a basketball program, or if they do, they are advised to get permission from their church. 7) Applications will not be fully processed without receipt of correct payment and the completion of all forms (Registration Form, Parental/Guardian Consent Form and Liability Waiver), which can be found in online registration.
Practice
1) Practices may begin as early as the first week in October. 2) St. Mary Magdalene ensures each team has one half-court, one-hour practice per week. 3) Most practices are scheduled at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in the evenings on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and possibly Sunday afternoons. However, you may have practices at another facility based on availability and the limitations of our gym. 4) Youth practices may be scheduled as early as 5 p.m. and as late as 8:30 p.m., with earlier times reserved for younger age groups. Men's practices will begin at 8:30 p.m. or later, unless earlier times become available. Some high school teams may also be schedule as late as 8:30 p.m. 5) Times, days and locations are subject to change. 6) Coaches may opt to practice more if he/she can secure additional gym time on their own outside of St. Mary Magdalene's gym. 7) St. Mary Magdalene can not honor all practice requests. However, St. Mary Magdalene will ensure that your child's practice time will not directly conflict with his/her religious education (Christian Formation) at the church.
Regular Season
1) All teams play 7-8 regular season games, beginning Nov. 11 for Adults and High Schoolers, and Nov. 16 for all other youth. The season will end sometime in February for most teams. 2) All youth teams (K4-Grade 8) play on Saturday mornings and afternoons. 3) High School Boys and Girls (Grade 9-12) play Monday evenings. 4) Men and Women play Monday nights. 5) All games are primarily played in Greenville County. See Directions to Gyms for a list of locations.
Playoffs
1) K5-3rd grades do not have playoffs. 2) All 4th-5th, 6th-8th and 9th-12th grade divisions (boys and girls) have single elimination format with games taking place throughout one or two weeks. Most younger age group games are held on Saturday. 3) There are no playoff games for men or women.
Uniforms
1) St. Mary Magdalene supplies each player with a jersey that is to be returned at the end of the season. 2) Players supply their own shorts (black). 3) For player that choose to wear an undershirt, it must be solid white, according to league rules. 4) The use of arm sleeves are permitted for medical purposes only, according to league rules. 5) Failure to return a particpant's jersey to the church by April 1, 2025 will result in a $40 replacement fee.
Awards Banquet
1) An awards banquet is typically held the last Saturday of February or the first Saturday of March in the Parish Center for all age groups K4-8th grade. High school teams conduct their own end-of-year celebration led by their coach. 2) A nominal fee (typically $13 per player, not per person) may be charged for the cost of the banquet (trophy, food, etc.).
Coaches
1) Without a coach, there is no team. Please consider volunteering as a head or assistant coach. 2) All coaches are required by the Diocese of Charleston to participate in Safe Environment training. To register, please go to https://charleston.cmgconnect.org. For questions contact [email protected]. 3) All coaches are required by the Diocese of Charleston to complete a Background Screening.
Registration Fees
1) Youth Parishioners, $85; Men & Women, $95; A $5 fee is added for non-parishioners (all ages). 2) A $5 discount may be applied to each additional sibling's registration fee (parishioners only). 3) No refunds after November 15, 2024.
Late Registration
1) Late Registration is used to complete teams. This can come in several forms:
Teams that don't meet minimum roster requirements.
A team that is large but would be better served split into two teams with a few extra players.
Players who have to resign because they make their school's basketball team.
Players who simply just drop out of the program, opening a roster spot.
2) When Late Registration occurs, it operates as a Waiting List. St. Mary Magdalene places players from the Waiting List based on the greatest need – not by special request. 3) Completing the Waiting List does not place you or your child on a team. It does not fast track or guarantee approval. 4) You will be notified by the Athletic Director whether or not you or your child will be placed on a team. 5) Once placed, you will be directed to the Late Registration Form for competition. Forwarding of the Late Registration by anyone else is prohibited. Anyone who signs up without the express written consent of the Athletic Director is not a valid registration. 6) If you are on the Waiting List and are no longer interested, please notify the Athletic Director as you or your child may be preventing the next player on the list from being placed on a team.