Programs Jump Start Program (Girls, 5th-8th grade; Boys, 6th-8th grade Winchester Basketball Association sponsors a five week fall program for girls and boys who want to improve their game in clinics which emphasize development of individual skills and team play. Experienced, professional coaches lead separate sessions for boys and girls. This program begins October 17th, 2009 and continues for five Saturdays to November 14th, 2009. In Town League Clinic (3rd to 8th grades) During December, January, and February, WBA runs a large in town basketball league in which over 600 Winchester kids participate from grades 3-8. There are twelve separate divisions of the league, with two divisions (boys and girls) for each grade. For grades 3-5 the in-town program is more instructional and recreational in nature for kids with limited basketball experience. For grades 6th through 8th, the in-town program continues with instruction but progresses to competitive team play. Recently, grades 7th and 8th boys and girls have been combined to provide a greater pool of talent and number of teams to provide a richer recreational basketball experience. In 2008-09, the In Town league runs for 13 weeks starting Saturday, December 1st. Sessions are generally 75-90 minutes in length, depending on enrollments and gym availability. The program is held at five locations: the Winchester High School Field house, St Mary's, Lincoln and Lynch Elementary Schools, and McCall Middle School. For exact locations and times see the schedule. A typical in-town clinic session includes: warm-ups and stretching, ball handling, shooting, footwork, and passing, as well as contests, half court and full court games. Our objective is for all players to have fun while improving their basketball fundamentals, with an emphasis on developing individual and team skills. Travel Teams (6th to 8th Grades) In grades 6-8 only, WBA fields traveling teams for both boys and girls. Our teams compete against similar teams from in and around Middlesex County. The Division and Grade Coordinators for the In-Town League also manage the Travel Team program at the 6th to 8th grade levels. Travel teams practice two evenings each week and play 1-2 games per week (Winchester home games are generally played on Sunday afternoon). Practices start in late November and games begin in early December. All teams play in the end of year WBA tournament in March. Open practices are held the first three weeks of November to form teams and improve skills. Travel players exhibit a wide range of experience and ability. Multiple teams per grade can be formed so that every player interested in travel and willing to make the time commitment can play and improve. Travel registration fee also includes registration in the Saturday in-town clinic and registration in the end of year March tournament). Summer Basketball Clinics (Boys and Girls) In the Summer, shortly after the end of the school year, the WBA runs separate camps for boys and girls. The camps are typically directed by the respective coaches of the WHS boys and girls varsity basketball teams. Early bird discounts are available. Due to the popularity of the clamps, space may be limited. The camps emphasize development of individual skills and team play for players of all abilities, with separate divisions for boys and girls in elementary, middle and high school. Children entering grades 3-12 in the Fall are all invited to attend. A typical day at camp includes: -Warm-ups, stretching -Individual drills (dribbling, passing, shooting, footwork) -One on one, small sided and five on five competition -Lunchtime lecture and demonstration -Games The Director of the Boys program is Coach Quinton Dale, Varsity Head Coach of the Winchester Boys Basketball team. Coach Dale captained Northeastern University's basketball team for Coach Jim Calhoun and has led the Sachems to the state playoffs in two of the last five years. The Director of the Girls program is Coach Jason Cacciapuoti, Varsity Head Coach of the Winchester Girls Basketball team. Coach Cacciapuoti has led the Sachems to the state playoffs for two consecutive years and has coached at both high school and college levels at Castleton State College, Wheelock College, and Hamilton-Wenham HS.