North Central Basketball Winter Wednesday 3v3 Full Court Open Gym and Tournaments

(Bemidji) Three-on-Three Basketball is starting this week in Bemidji with a new twist. The North Central Basketball Winter Wednesday 3v3 Full Court Open Gym will be held at the Bemidji High School Main and Auxiliary Gyms beginning this Wednesday and running through the end of March. Doors open at 6:10 pm and close at 8:30 pm. There is no team fee, awards, concessions or admission. The sessions are open to all area boy and girl players ages 7 to 14 at the U9, U11, U13 and U15 levels.

“Small-sided games are not new to athletic coaches or physical education teachers,” said co-event director Dan Ninham who will direct events with his wife Susan. “What is innovative in basketball in our region is that we are playing three-on-three full court at the youth level.”

There is a maximum five-player roster so there are no long benches of non-players. Only one or two subs are allowed and they stand on the sideline and don’t sit on a bench. The open gym session will not allow 5v5 and will key on being small-sided. There is less congestion and everyone needs to be able to handle the ball and make decisions. There is a shot clock to encourage action at all levels. Games on four courts will start every 15 minutes with 12 minute running time game sessions with three minute warm up time.

“We expect the concept to grow quickly,” added Ninham. “More skill-specific repetitions for playing both ends of the court with small-sided teams will be ideal for teaching and learning. Developing offensive triangles at the half court and working on half court defensive situations are the focus.”

A series of youth tournaments are planned in the area. There will be age and gender divisions: U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, and U19 Male and Female. The team fee for tournaments is $119 with admission and concessions. Each team plays in a round robin format with a single seeded final game. Individual medal and ribbon awards will be presented to Champions to Third Place finishers.

Pre-registration is required by 5 pm two days before each event. Contact Dan Ninham for details at 218.368.6430 or coach.danninham@gmail.com.

The tournament series includes:

Sat., Jan. 21, U13 Male/Female, Bemidji Middle School

Sun., Jan. 22, U9 and U11 Female, Bemidji Middle School

Sat., Jan. 28, U11, U13 and U15 Male/Female, Bemidji High School

Sun., Jan. 29, U9 and U11 Male, Bemidji Middle School

Sat., Feb. 4, U13 Male, Red Lake Humanities Center

Sun., Feb. 5, U13 Female, Red Lake Humanities Center, Tournament completed by 3:00 pm on Super Bowl Sunday

Sat., Feb. 11, U15 Male, Red Lake Humanities Center

Sun., Feb. 12, U15 Female, Red Lake Humanities Center

Sat., Feb. 25, U17 Male, Red Lake Humanities Center

Sun., Feb. 26, U17 Female, Red Lake Humanities Center

Sat., Mar. 4, U19 Male and Female, Red Lake and Ponemah Boys & Girls Clubs

Sun., Mar. 5, U17 Male and Female, Red Lake and Ponemah Boys & Girls Clubs

Sat., Apr. 22, U11, U13 and U15 Male/Female, Bemidji High School

Sat., Apr. 29, U15 Male, Red Lake Humanities Center