THE BOY’S WESTERN BASKETBALL
CONFERENCE
RULES AND BY – LAWS
The league shall be known as the “Western Basketball Conference”. Changes in league membership will not change this designation. The league shall consist of different levels of competition at grades 3 through high school.
1. The Board of Directors shall consist of four (4) league officers, a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary.
2. Candidates shall be nominated and elected at the final meeting of the season to serve the following basketball season. Each member school shall be allotted one (1) vote each. A school shall not have more than one (1) representative serving on the board at any given time. Officers shall commence their duties at the elected meeting.
3. Officers shall serve no more than one year, but an officer may serve unlimited consecutive terms if elected and is willing to serve.
Membership shall consist of the following schools:
St. Al’s on the Ohio, St. Al’s Bridgetown, St. Antoninus, St. Bernard, St. Catharine, St. Dominic, Holy Family, St. Ignatius, St. James White Oak, St. John Harrison, St. Jude, St. Lawrence, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Martin, St. Teresa, Our Lady of Victory, Our Lady Visitation, St. William.
1. Each member shall be from a Roman Catholic Elementary school.
2. Each member will be assessed an entry fee to cover league costs. Amount of the fee will be determined by a vote of the membership coordinators upon recommendation of the board of directors. All such fees shall be paid prior to the first scheduled league game. Failure to pay league fees or fines prior to playing league games shall result in forfeiture of all games until such fees or fines are paid.
3. Each member must field teams in the competitive levels of the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Each member may submit teams in the 3rd, 4th and high school levels. Any member may petition the league to only field teams at any competitive level. Failure to adhere to this rule may, after a special meeting, result in expulsion of the member and forfeiture of all games of all teams of the member. The number of teams required for the competitive levels shall be determined by the number of boys in school. Combo level teams shall be limited by this determination.
4. Every member’s Class A teams shall consist of that member’s best players at any given grade level (with the exception of the 3rd and 4th grade level). If a member has no class A teams but has class B teams then these teams must fulfill these requirements. If a player is chosen to play at a Class A level team and refuses to play that player will not be able to play for any other member team. All players the member deems not qualified to play at the Class A level may make up teams in a Class B or C levels of competition. Combination teams shall consist of players from both the 5th and 6th grades and both the 7th and 8th grades. All combination teams shall be made up of players who are divided equally by the member with respect to their playing talent. There shall be no “stacking” of combination teams. Violations may result in forfeiture of games.
5. Member schools shall have a representative preferably the schools boy’s basketball coordinator at each meeting. If a member is not represented for 2 consecutive meetings a letter shall be sent to the member’s Athletic Association President with a copy going to the schools pastor.
6. Each member must provide 5 hours of gym time per team per season to play games. Each school must provide one additional hour for any post-season league sanctioned tournament. Failure to provide such time shall result in elimination of team or teams from play. Any exceptions to this rule have to be approved by the Board of Directors.
7. Member representatives are responsible for won and lose records of all teams representing their schools, including all records on the league internet website.
8. It is the responsibility of each member’s representative to report all league business to all their coaches.
9. Members are responsible for crowd control at their respective gyms. All problems with players, player parents, fans or referees shall be reported immediately to the league board of directors
1. All schools considered for league sanctions will not be permitted a vote when the league is voting on such sanctions against said member.
2. Any disciplinary action taken by the league shall be approved only by 66% of the league membership.
3. To be expelled from the league a team or member shall be expelled only by a 75% majority of league members.
1. Each league member shall be allotted one (1) vote when voting on league matters. Any authorized representative of the member school shall cast this vote. Each member has a right to abstain from voting.
2. There must be a quorum (75%) of the members present to vote on any issue, motion, or rule addition, deletion or change.
3. Issues or motions shall be approved only by a majority of members.
4. Rule changes, additions or deletions shall only be approved by 75% of the members.
1. A player shall be eligible to play in the league provided he qualifies under either one of the following two situations.
a. He attends the member school for which he will play. Or
b. He does not attend the member school but qualifies under either one of the following.
i. His parents or legal guardian must be a registered member of the parish and they must reside in the parish boundaries. Or
ii. His parents or legal guardian reside outside the parish boundaries but they previously resided within the parish boundaries or the player attended the parish school and was a member of the parish and his parents or legal guardian have maintained active membership in the parish.
Exceptions of the above qualifications may be made to league officers for any player who does not qualify under qualifications set forth in a. or b. above if the family can establish that they maintain active participation in parish activities, attend regular parish services, and contribute regularly to the parish church. Registration alone does not establish the family as active members of the parish. The officers must submit the names of any player seeking an exception to the pastor of the church for acceptance on the roster. Parish boundaries are those boundaries around the parish church surrounding the area from which the parish normally draws its parishioners. The league officers shall determine the exact parish boundaries after consultation with the office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Any decision by league officers regarding eligibility of a player may be appealed to the league for majority vote at the next general meeting.
2. Qualifications to play at grade levels shall be as follows.
a. 3rd Grade: A player is eligible to play at the 3rd grade level provided he is in the 3rd grade or lower and he will not become 10 years of age before September 1st.
b. 4th Grade: A player is eligible to play at the 4th grade level provided he is in the 4th grade or lower and he will not become 11 years of age before September 1st.
c. 5th Grade: A player is eligible to play at the 5th grade level provided he is in the 5th grade or lower and he will not become 12 years of age before September 1st.
d. 6th Grade: A player is eligible to play at the 6th grade level provided he is in the 6th grade or lower and he will not become 13 years of age before September 1st.
e. 7th Grade: A player is eligible to play at the 7th grade level provided he is in the 7th grade or lower and he will not become 14 years of age before September 1st.
f. 8th Grade: A player is eligible to play at the 8th grade level provided he is in the 8th grade or lower and he will not become 15 years of age before September 1st.
g. High School Intermediate: A player is eligible to play at the high school intermediate level provided he has not completed his sophomore year in high school and he will not become 17 years of age before August 15th. A player may not play for both his high school team or junior high school team and a WBC high school team. Any high school player who is on the final roster of his high school team, whether he plays any game for his high school team or not can not play for a WBC high school team. The names of all players found to be in violation of this rule shall be submitted to the appropriate state high school athletic association. This rule extends to all high school and junior high school players from all states.
h. High School Upper: A player is eligible to play at the high school upper level provided he has not completed his senior year in high school and he will not become 19 years of age before August 15th. A player may not play for both his high school team or junior high school team and a WBC high school team. Any high school player who is on the final roster of his high school team, whether he plays any game for his high school team or not can not play for a WBC high school team. The names of all players found to be in violation of this rule shall be submitted to the appropriate state high school athletic association. This rule extends to all high school and junior high school players from all states.
If a player is attending a special accelerated school, such as Latin school, and is not attending his parish school, he may play on the grade level team for which he would normally qualify if he were not in any accelerated program provided he meets the age requirement for that grade level.
3. A player can only play for one team in the league per season unless there is a change in the roster by January 1st. In the case of a mid season transfer the player may play for either school.
4. Any violation of the eligibility rules will result in the team forfeiting all the games in which the ineligible player participated.
1. A roster shall be submitted by the head coach of each team to their school’s coordinator who must then file the roster to the board of directors before the beginning of the season. Each roster shall contain the following information: School Name, Grade Level, Players Name, Players Address, Players Telephone Number, Players Birth Date, Players School, Head Coaches Name, Head Coaches Address, Head Coaches Telephone Number and e-mail address (if available) as well as any assistant coach’s names, addresses, and telephone numbers. The officers of the WBC reserve the right to deny all improper rosters.
2. Any changes in a roster must be submitted in writing (via e-mail when feasible) to the President of the league before a player becomes eligible. No additions to rosters will be accepted after January 1st.
3. Any violation of the roster rules will result in the team forfeiting all the games for which or no roster was on file with the league. Teams found to have incomplete, incorrect, or no roster on file with the league shall also be ineligible to play in the any post-season tournament.
4. All teams must have a minimum of nine (8) players. All exceptions must be approved by the Board of Directors. All exceptions must be submitted by petition to the WBC Board and the petitions must be in writing. Teams who do not comply with this rule shall forfeit all games.
1. The league shall be divided into competitive divisions. These divisions shall be designated as a Red, White, Blue, and Black divisions. Each division shall have at least six (6) teams per division.
2. Coordinators must furnish the league with school enrolments at the first meeting of the season.
All games shall be governed by Ohio High School Athletic Association rules with the following exceptions.
1. Game Duration: 4th, 5th/6th combination grade games shall consist of 4 quarters of 5-minute duration stop and go. All other grade levels including 3rd grade shall consist of 4 quarters of 6-minute duration stop and go. Overtimes shall be 2 minutes for 3rd, 4th, 5th/6th combination and 3 minutes for all other grade levels.
2. Time Outs: Each team shall be allowed 5 30-second time outs per game. One additional time out shall be granted per overtime period.
3. Continuous Playing Quarter: Each team is required to play each team member a continuous quarter provided the other team has equal or more players on their team. (Example: Team A has 9 players, Team B has 10 players. Team A must play all 9 players a continuous quarter while Team B must only play 9 players a continuous quarter.) A continuous quarter shall be a quarter in which the player starts the quarter and does not leave the game until the quarter has ended. It is the responsibility of each team to have a scorekeeper to determine playing times of each player participating. If a coach is accused of violating this rule it is the responsibility of the member’s coordinator to determine if the coach is guilty. If the coach is found to be guilty than the coach will be suspended for 2 consecutive games and loss of the game in violation.
4. No Pressure Defense: At the 3rd grade level no team shall be allowed to play defense outside the 3-point line. At the 3rd grade level during the last minute of the game the defensive team may extend the defense to the mid-court line. In cases where the 3-point line does not exist than the defense shall not play above the top of the circle with extended line from side line to side line. At the 4th grade level no team shall be allowed to play defense in the backcourt. At the 5th/6th combination level no team shall be allowed to play defense in the backcourt after an in bound pass, defense may play defense in the back court after a missed shot or lost ball. Within the last minute of the game at the 3rd and 4th grade, and 5th /6th grade combination levels the clock shall not start after a dead ball stoppage until the team has crossed the mid court line. If at either level a player enters the backcourt to play defense the referee shall issue a warning to the violating team. Upon second and subsequent violations a technical foul shall be issued to the violating teams coach. There are no fast breaks allowed at the 3rd grade level.
5. A team may not score from any portion of the court where defense cannot be played.
6. No Running Up of Score: If any team gains a lead of 15 points or greater at any time during the game than that team shall not be allowed to full court press the opposing team. If the lead falls below the 15 point limit the leading team will be allowed to resume full court pressure. This rule shall apply to all WBC games. An additional restriction is placed in games involving 4th grade and 5th/6th grade combination teams, the leading team shall not play defense beyond the top of the circle. Any violation of this rule may cause penalties imposed by the referees such as technical fouls and expulsion of the violating coach.
7. Referees: There shall be 2 referees at each game (3rd Grade games shall have 1 referee). It is recommended that the referees team captains and coaches meet prior to the game to review specific rules of the gym.
8. Foul Lines: 3rd grade shoot foul shots from the bottom of the lane circle, grade 4th through 6th grade levels shall shoot foul shots from a foul line midway between the regulation foul line and the bottom of the lane circle. They are also only allowed three players below the foul line on each side of the lane during a foul shot attempt. All levels above the 6th Grade level shall shoot foul shots from the regulation foul line and are allowed only three players below the foul line on each side of the lane.
9. Game Starting Times: Games shall start as closely to their designated starting time as possible. No game shall start prior to their designated time. Teams shall be given at least 5 minutes to warm up prior to a game.
10. Game Ball: The game referees shall determine the ball that will be used during the game. Home teams do not automatically supply the game ball.
1. Uniforms: Ohio High School Athletic Association rules shall govern numbering of uniforms. No uniform number shall include a number greater than 5. T-shirts or shorts worn under a uniform must match the uniforms color.
2. Basketballs: 3rd through 6th grade levels shall play with the intermediate size basketball, 28 ½ inches in circumference. All levels above 6th grade shall play with the regulation size basketball, 29 ¼ inches in circumference.
Games, which have been postponed moved or changed, shall only be played after coordinating the game times and places with the designated league scheduler. Violation shall result in a loss for both teams involved.
Protests must be placed with the game referees and the opposing coach at the time of the alleged infraction, from that moment on the game will be deemed as being played under protest. Protest must then be submitted in writing to the league President and must be accompanied by a $25.00 protest fee. A protest board shall consist of 3 board members. No protest of a referee’s rules decision shall be considered. If the protest is granted the $25.00 fee shall be returned to the protesting member.
1. Any coach, player, fan or cheerleader may be cited for unsportsman like conduct or conduct detrimental to the games integrity or detrimental to the players or fans by the referee, member coordinator or WBC board member. At the time of the alleged infraction the offender shall be asked to leave the playing facility. If the accused offender does not leave the facility the team he or she represents shall forfeit the game.
2. Coaches or players who are removed from a game for such conduct shall be suspended from that team’s next league game. Should a coach or player be removed from two games within a season they shall be suspended for the rest of the season along with post-season games.
3. The use of vulgar or profane language or other obscene actions by coaches shall result in immediate removal from the playing facility.
4. The league board of directors shall have the power to suspend any coach or player for any period of time for excessive unsportsmanlike conduct. The board’s action can be subject to review by the entire membership at the next general meeting of the league after the action has been taken.
5. The league “Code of Conduct” is attached.
Individual player awards will be awarded to division winners at each grade level. Awards will be given to each school coordinator at the first league meeting after the conclusion of the season.
1. League team fees are as follows: All teams $135.00 per team and 3rd Grade teams $40.00 per team. All fees are required to be paid to the league treasurer before the start of the season.
2. Referee fees for each game are as follows: 4th and 5th/6th Grade combo games $20.00 per team; 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade select and 7th/8th grade combo games $24.00 per team; High School games $25.00 per team; and 3rd grade $11.00 per team. Referee’s fees are to be paid to the individual referee before the start of each game.
1. The Western Basketball Conference shall conduct the Greater Cincinnati City Catholic Schools Tournament. The tournament will consist of all WBC A, B, and C select teams at the 4th through 8th grade levels and selected greater Cincinnati CYO teams by invitation only. Divisions shall be divided into both large and small school divisions. Provided gym time is available the league will further divide the tournament into “B” divisions for both the large and small schools. Teams may only play in one division.
2. The Western Basketball Conference will conduct a WBC high school team post season tournament divided into two divisions, a 9th/10th grade division and an 11th/12th grade division. Each division will consist of no more than 16 teams selected on their won and lose records for the season. The winner of the 11th/12th grade division will be eligible to participate and represent greater Cincinnati in the Ohio CYO state tournament.
3. The Western Basketball Conference will conduct a WBC 5th/6th grade and 7th/8th grade combo teams post season tournament. All WBC combo teams will qualify and be bracketed according to large school and small school and seeded according to final season won-lose records.
4. All tournaments will be played under WBC rules and by laws.
5. All regular season rosters shall apply to all post season tournaments.
The Western Basketball Conference was established to set up a
basketball league for boys from West Side’s Roman Catholic Grade Schools. Over the years it has expanded to allow
every boy the opportunity to play organized basketball.
The league endeavors, through its member parishes, to teach the rules
and fundamentals of basketball, the principles of good sportsmanship, the
discipline of hard work, and to enjoy the importance of being a Team member and
working hard to accomplish a common goal.
The Western Basketball Conference expects its coordinators, coaches,
players, parents, and fans to encourage good sportsmanship by giving positive
support to teammates and coaches, by respecting decisions of contest officials,
and respecting and honoring opposing players and coaches.
Coaches are expected coach in an adult manner. It is their example that will establish the
mindset of their team. The players look
to coaches to set that example. If a
coach conducts himself/herself in a sportsmanlike manner they will do the
same. On the other hand, if a coach is
critical or unruly, the players will follow your lead. If the coach blatantly disregards the rules
of the league the coach is showing players by example. Since Christian behavior is an important
part of what the league is trying to teach, un-sportsmanlike conduct by a
coordinator, coach, player, parent, or fan cannot and will not be tolerated.
At all times parents are expected to show positive support for their
children, the teammates of their children, the coaches, and the officials. Parents also must be respectful to opposing
players and coaches. Parents need to
keep athletics in the proper perspective of the athlete’s growth and
development.