2021 MORRIS MEMORIAL

BASKETBALL PROGRAM 

The Morris Memorial is facing many challenges this year resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Please carefully read through the important season details below as our program has been modified to adhere to NYSDOH and Columbia County Health Department guidelines to ensure the safety of our children and community. 

In following safety restrictions and with limited gym availability, we remind parents that there may be modifications made ahead of or during the upcoming season.  

Register Here

Questions: Email Michael West @  

Cost:

• $35.00 per participant / $25.00 for each additional family member.
• Each head coach will receive 1 free registration.
• Scholarships available on an assisted lunch program basis. Please contact Michael West:
• Team Jerseys will not be provided this season.

Registration Dealine:

• Wednesday, March 3rd.

Chatham Students Only:

As a safety measure, we are not allowing registration by students outside of the CCSD.

No School Gym Use:

Due to the current CCSD policy of not allowing any outside organization’s use of school facilities, we are limited to providing a program in the Morris Memorial’s small gymnasium this season.

No Spectators:

Parents will not be allowed to stay at the Morris facility during practices because of capacity limitations in our small facility.  People allowed will be coaches, assistant coaches, team parents (see below) and players.  All adult volunteers must complete a background check ahead of season.  Parents will be allowed inside during sign-in and pick-up.

Intrasquad scrimmages permitted / No games against other teams in same division:

Coaches will be provided with lesson plans that will assist them in leading players through a series of skill and fitness activities specific to the sport of basketball. (ex. Relay races, team shooting competitions, etc.)  **Scrimmages may be allowed within individual teams.**

We need your help!  (Parents can register for a role during online player registration)

• Coach: Lead assigned team through practices following provided lesson plans – modifying as necessary.  Create a safe, fun, educational and meaningful basketball experience for every team player by providing players with enthusiasm and feedback. – Receives 1 free registration.
• Team Parent: Check in players & responsible for disinfection protocol after practices.
• Assistant Coach: Coaches will greatly benefit from parents becoming involved during practices.  Even if you are not a basketball player, assisting in ways such as helping to enforce coaching directions, helping small groups through tasks / games, and setup / pickup will be extremely helpful in managing practices.

Teams:

Each team will practice in our gymnasium separately to ensure capacity restrictions are met.  Teams will be limited to 8-10 players.  How we break teams down will depend on how many players register for the program from each grade level.  We may make teams by grade level or we may combine two grade levels as in past seasons – we will have to wait and make that determination as registrations are received. 

Tentative Schedule: 

Each practice will be scheduled for 1 Hour.  This includes both Saturday and weekday practices.  Weekend practices will occur on Saturdays – beginning in the morning for our youngest division and spanning throughout the day ending with our oldest divisions.  There will be a 30 minute break between each team’s practice to allow time for disinfection and to avoid contact between teams.

Weekday Practices: 

Each team will be provided with a weekday afternoon or evening practice time at the Morris Memorial.  This schedule will be established in part by volunteer coaching availability.

Drop off / Pick up:

• No spectators allowed.
• Parents may walk their child in for check-in, but will not be permitted to remain in the facility during practice.
• Parents may enter the building to pick up their child after practice.
• Parents must wear a mask any time while inside the Morris Memorial and practice social distancing.

COVID Protocols for Athletes:

• Upon arrival, players will have their temperature checked using a touchless thermometer as part of their check-in for the day’s practice.
• Players must wear a mask at all times inside the Morris unless they are having difficulty breathing or during socially distanced water breaks.
• Players must bring their own water as our drinking fountain will not be in use.
• If a player or coach from any team contracts COVID-19, every member of the team, including volunteers, will be required to self-quarantine for 10 days as per state and local Health Department guidelines.
• If your child is not feeling well, please have them stay home.
• Our building will be well ventilated.  We will be leaving the front entrance and several windows open, despite potentially cold weather, and utilizing box fans in windows to pull air through the building.