Shooting Stars Travel Basketball


icSports Shooting Stars offers travel basketball for the following age groups:

  • Girls 5-6th Grade
  • Boys 5-6th Grade
  • Girls Middle School
  • Boys Middle School
  • Girls High School
  • Boys High School


The spring/summer 2024 schedule will start with tryouts as follows:

  • Location:

Immanuel Church Gym

2300 N Dilleys Road, Gurnee, IL


  • Date: Sunday, March 3, 2024 (Note: If your player is interested in playing for Shooting Stars but cannot attend the tryouts, please notify us immediately to discuss other tryout arrangements.)
  • Grades 7-8 (girls): 1:00pm-2:00pm
  • Grades 7-8 (boys): 2:00pm-3:00pm
  • Grades 9-12 (girls): 3:00pm-4:00pm
  • Grades 9-12 (boys) 4:00pm-5:00pm
  • Note: Number of teams, team assignments and team age ranges will be determined based on tryout results. The age groups above are simply tryout groupings.

 

The travel season will run from early April through early or mid-July. Practices will be held at Immanuel Church’s gym and other local facilities. Tournaments will be local travel only and will be on Saturdays.

 

We know that some players would like the opportunity and experience of tournament or travel play, but practice requirements and finances can make that difficult or impossible. We will establish a manageable practice schedule that will allow our athletes to still participate in other activities. The goal of this program is to be competitive while maintaining a focus on continued skill improvement, individual player development, experience, and fun in a culture of encouragement. We have set a price point which is approximately 70% of the cost of comparable travel programs in order to provide a great value for our participating families.

 

Tryout eligibility is limited to players in grades 7 through 12 (2023-2024 school year). Team roster size target is 10 players, pending ages, interest, and talent level. We understand that some may try out and not make the team, but we hope that anyone trying out understands that this is a different type of program from our normal Open Leagues.

 

Additionally, these teams will represent icSports as we travel and play in other communities. Therefore, character, attitude, respect and self-control are just some of the individual qualities which will be evaluated for eligibility to make the travel teams. Practices will also include a short devotional.

 

Commitment: With limited practice nights and times, players on these teams need to be committed to the team and make attendance at practices and tournaments a priority. Attendance and participation will affect playing time; chronic absences could result in removal from the team and forfeiture of player fees. Please note: The travel team season coincides with the end of the school year and summer break from school. This means players will have school requirements/events and family travel/vacations, and we fully understand that. Scheduled vacation time (unless chronic) is not a problem and not grounds for penalty. We do ask that you inform us as soon as possible regarding planned absences so that we can plan and schedule accordingly. 

 

DETAILS: Details are still being finalized. The following is subject to change:

  • Cost: $675
  • Full regulation basketball uniforms
  • Minimum 7 Tournaments (2 to 3 games each)
  • Travel will be almost exclusively local (Waukegan Fieldhouse/Aquatic Center and the Pleasant Prairie RecPlex) but, if a great opportunity presents itself, could extend to Chicago, Joliet, Naperville or Milwaukee.
  • Transportation will not be provided. No overnight stays.
  • Playing time: Our goal is a minimum of 25% of seasonal game minutes for all players (excluding game absences). Although playing time will be merit-based and will not be equal, no player will sign up to simply sit the bench. Minutes will be tracked to help ensure that, outside of attendance-related issues, players achieve the minimum 25%.
  • The 25% playing time minimum is in place to ensure that players get the opportunity to play. Individual playing time will go up and down throughout the season based on attendance at practice, individual performance, comprehension and application of team concepts, and attitude.
  • Absences result in reduced team unity, lack of instructional/strategic understanding and team continuity. Players who miss should not expect to play as much as players who attend.
  • Team size: Maximum 10 players.
  • Score keeping: Travel teams are responsible to provide scorekeepers and clock operators at all tournament games. Each player’s parents are expected to handle this responsibility for a minimum of one complete tournament during the season. Parents can opt out of this responsibility for a fee of $75 so that we can hire and pay someone to handle those responsibilities.
  • There is no charge for tryouts, but players must register to attend tryouts. Deadline to register for tryouts is Sunday, March 3, noon. We need to know how many players are interested in order to effectively plan for each session. To register, simply email Laurie Cessna at: [email protected] and include the name(s) of your player(s) and their current grade in school. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please assume we did not receive your registration email.