2026 Boys Basketball Season Information

Calling all Wildcats Boys Basketball players! The 2026 Boys Basketball season is right around the corner. Please review the registration details, tryout schedules, team information, and season expectations below.

Registration & Payment

• Deadline: Friday, October 9

• How to Register: Online registration and payment must be completed prior to tryouts. Please register online at the LEMS Athletics Website.

Important Dates & Tryout Schedule

• Student Informational Meeting: Monday, September 14 | 4:10–4:30 PM (Mr. Bren's Room A134)

• Optional Open Gym: Monday, October 5 – Wednesday, October 7 | 4:15–5:30 PM (LEMS Gym)

• Tryout Dates: Monday, October 12 & Tuesday, October 13 (LEMS Gym)

  • 6th Grade: 4:15–5:45 PM

  • 7th Grade: 5:30–7:00 PM

  • 8th Grade: 6:45–8:15 PM

Note: Tryouts are considered our first official practices, and the gym will be closed to spectators. Roster decisions for Varsity will be communicated during the final tryout session.

Tryout Evaluation Criteria

Coaches will be evaluating players on a well-rounded skill set, including:

• Shooting & Form: Inside/outside shooting with proper form and follow-through ("hand in the cookie jar").

• Fundamentals: Lay-ups (proper footwork on both right and left sides), ball handling, dribbling, setting screens, and rolling.

• Passing: Chest pass, bounce pass, baseball lob pass, and overhead soccer pass.

• Defense: Individual and team defense, positioning, active hands, and defensive slides.

• Game Awareness & Attitude: Court sense, fitness, teamwork, encouragement, positive attitude, and a growth mindset.

Season Overview & Practice Schedules

The season runs from October 12 to December 11. Each grade level will feature a Varsity team (approximately 10 players) and a JV team.

• First Practice Dates:

  • Varsity Practice Begins: Monday, October 19 (right after school)

  • JV Practice Begins: Tuesday, October 20 (right after school)

• Varsity Practice & Game Times:

  • Practices: Tuesdays & Thursdays (5:15–7:00 PM or 7:00 AM) and Fridays (7:00–8:20 AM)

  • Games: Mondays & Wednesdays

• JV Practice & Game Times:

  • Practices: Tuesdays & Thursdays (4:15–5:15 PM)

  • Games: Friday afternoons (4:15–5:45 PM)

Transportation

• Buses are provided for all away Varsity games (both in and out of town).

• Return buses back to Erwin are provided only for games at Windsor, Severance, or Ridgeline.

Coaching Staff & Contact Info

For questions regarding the boys basketball program, please contact the appropriate grade-level coach or Head of Program Tim Bren:

• 6th Grade: Josh George — Joshua.george@tsd.org

• 7th Grade & Head of Program: Tim Bren — Timothy.bren@tsd.org | 970-613-7649

• 8th Grade: Ben Egger — Ben.egger@tsd.org

• JV Coaches: D. Mason (Duane.Mason@tsd.org) & Meredith Kinney (Meredith.kinney@tsd.org)