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****Lakeview Youth Association (LYA)**** Battle Creek, MI

****Lakeview Youth Association (LYA)**** Battle Creek, MI

Junior Spartans Basketball
Lakeview Youth • Winter Season

Junior Spartans Basketball

Part of the Red Cedar League — a competitive program with Gold, Silver, and Bronze divisions based on skill.

Season Dates

  • Start: Oct 27
  • End: Late February (based on tournament qualification)

Registration

  • Opens: Oct 10
  • Closes: Oct 24

No co-ed teams • Grades 3–6 • Eligible schools: Lakeview and local private schools within Battle Creek (no homeschool per league rules).

Weekly Schedule

  • Practices: 2×/week after 5:00 PM
  • Games: Saturdays, occasional Sundays

Registration & Fees

$170 per participant

Included

  • Jersey, shorts, shooting shirt
  • Basketballs & gym rentals
  • Referees, announcing & scoreboard equipment

Registration for tryouts is free. Full payment will be due within 2 days of being assigned to a team.

Red Cedar requires admission at games: $5 adults / $2 kids.

Equipment

  • Provided by league: uniforms, basketballs, gym time
  • Families provide: appropriate court shoes

Who Coaches?

Volunteer coaches lead each team. Email [email protected] if interested in coaching.

Volunteer Spots

  • Coaches: Head and Assistant
  • Concessions
  • Entry-fee table

Key Dates & Events

  • Registration Close — Oct 24
  • Tryouts — Week of Oct 27
  • Opening Day — Mid-December
  • Tournaments — Yes (year-end)
  • Playoffs — Yes

FAQs

How are teams formed?

Teams are created by grade level, not age. Players cannot individually “play up” unless multiple grades must be combined based on registrations. If we don’t have a full team by grade (minimum 9 per league rules), a player may be moved up only if there’s room on a team (max 10 players). Players will not be moved up if it results in taking a player at that grade level’s spot. If there aren’t enough players for a grade and no room above, that team will not exist this season.

Who is eligible to play?

Participants must be Lakeview students or private-school students within Battle Creek. Homeschool students are not eligible per league rules.

What division will my child play in?

After tryouts and teams are formed, the Director places each team in the appropriate Red Cedar skill division (Gold / Silver / Bronze).

Are tryouts required? Will there be cuts?

Yes, tryouts are required. Depending on registration numbers and gym capacity, we have limits on the number of teams we can carry. Cuts may be necessary. Teams can carry up to 10 players.

Can you create mixed-grade teams?

Sometimes. At the director’s discretion, mixed-grade teams may be created to save as many players as possible—only if there’s room for an additional team in that age group.

Do players have to stay in their assigned grade level?

Yes. Players must play in the grade level their team is assigned, regardless of individual skill, unless the Director chooses to combine grade levels for a team rather than make cuts. Example: an excess of five 4th grade players and five 5th grade players may be combined into one 5th grade team rather than cut the excess players.

Can a coach lead multiple teams?

No. Per league rules, coaches may lead only one team. We are looking for coaches! If a coach needs to move up a younger sibling, that roster may carry 11 players to ensure no one is cut to make room for the sibling.

Is playing time equal?

Playing time is not equal, but all children will play in each game.

Can my 2nd grader tryout for a team?

We do not generally accept 2nd graders. The only exception is if a 2nd grader's parent is serving as a coach for one of the teams. In that case, the 2nd grader may be considered as an 11th player - meaning they would not take a roster spot from another eligible player. These situations are rare and are reviewed case-by-base by the Director before being approved.

Ready to Play?

Register during the window above and watch for tryout details and team assignments.


Program

Junior Spartans Basketball • Red Cedar League • Grades 3–6 • Boys & Girls

Practice & Games

Practices 2×/week after 5 PM • Games on Saturdays & occasional Sundays

Costs

$170 registration • Red Cedar game admission: $5 adults / $2 kids


2024–2025 Season Recap

What a Year for the Lakeview Junior Spartans! 🏀💜🤍

A historic inaugural season—league champs, deep tournament runs, and a community that showed up BIG.

Season Highlights

In their first-ever season, the Lakeview Junior Spartans made history! Our 4th and 5th Grade boys’ teams competed in the Michigan Middle School Championship in Ann Arbor, facing top teams from Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio—an incredible feat for a brand-new program!

These young athletes went UNDEFEATED in their regular seasons, winning their Red Cedar League divisions to earn a spot in the tournament. And they didn’t just show up—they showed out!

  • 4th Grade – 4th Place Overall
  • 5th Grade – 3rd Place Overall
UNDEFEATED Regular seasons • Red Cedar Division Champions • State tournament runs

Registration Listing

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There are no programs or divisions available at the moment. Please contact your club administrator with any questions.

Contact

LYA
PO BOX, 753
Battle Creek, Michigan 49016

Email: [email protected]

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