The Sedona Parks and Recreation Department’s Grasshopper Basketball League for children in grades 1-8 is accepting registrations through Sunday, Nov. 24. Registration fee is $35 per player and includes jersey.

League practice begins after Thanksgiving. The season begins on Saturday, January 11th and ends on Saturday, March 1st.

“This is a low-pressure league that focuses on skill development, good sportsmanship, positive encouragement, and learning the rules and fundamentals of basketball,” the station’s website states. “Whether players, coaches or parents, we provide a fun and exciting season for everyone. Each player will receive a team jersey and award at the end of the season.”

Carmen Brashear, director of track and field and swimming, said the school plans to hire more than a dozen head coaches and assistant coaches this season. New coaches are provided with a 10-week practice guide, and all coaches are provided with CPR and pediatric CPR certification.

“First- through second-graders practice once a week, while third- through eighth-graders can practice up to twice a week,” Brashear said. “That means one to two hours of practice a week and one game every Saturday for eight weeks.”

Currently, all games are scheduled to be played in the West Sedona School gymnasium from 9 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m., but Brashear said he is working to secure a second venue that would allow games to end earlier in the day. He said that this is subject to change.

“They bring the kids together and have a discussion. If it’s their first practice, there’s a meet-and-greet so the kids can get used to each other,” Brasher said. “Then we have warm-up activities, then we have general fitness activities to move our bodies around, then we have skill drills, then we have more game play options, and finally, the kids There are team circles for families to take home and some takeaways for parents to take home and do different activities with their kids.”

Approximately 124 players participated in the 2023 season, up from 99 the previous year. Brashear said he hopes to have 140 to 150 players and around 20 teams this season, with a typical team consisting of 10 players.

“We also ask each team to have a primary parent volunteer who will provide snacks and refreshments at the end of the game,” Brashear said. “So there’s an opportunity for parents to be more involved with the team.”

Parents can register at sedonaaz.gov/sports or contact Brashier at Cbrashier@sedonaaz.gov or (928) 203-5077.