GMA Youth Basketball League!

One League. Ages 4 to 17. 

What is GMA Youth Basketball?

Granite Mountain Athletics is bringing a complete, multi-tiered youth basketball pathway to the Prescott area. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, our league features two distinct levels tailored to athlete development:

• Recreational Basketball (4U, 6U & 8U): An introduction to organized basketball focusing on fundamentals, equal participation, teamwork, confidence, and having fun. Modified rules ensure athletes learn how to play without the pressure of scorekeeping.

• Competitive Basketball (10U, 12U, 14U & 17U): A high-quality local basketball league designed to give athletes and existing teams consistent competition, official scorekeeping, certified referees, and an end-of-season championship experience. (Age is determined by the player's age on January 1, 2027)

SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Team Practices Begin: Week of January 11, 2027 (Weekly indoor practices provided)

• Opening Day: Saturday, January 23, 2027

• Format: 8-Game Regular Season (Includes doubleheader Saturdays on Feb 13 & Feb 27)

• Season Finale: March 6–7, 2027 (Jamboree for 4U/6U; Championship Tournament for 8U-17U)

• Game Locations: Local Prescott-area gymnasiums

Two Ways to Play (Registration Options)

Registration officially opens October 5th. Pricing will be announced shortly as we finalize our community sponsorship partners to keep costs as low as possible for our families!

1. Free Agent (Individual Registration) Register individually, and GMA will place the athlete on a team in the appropriate age division. Registration includes a premium GMA game jersey, weekly indoor practice space, and all game/officiating fees.

2. Full Team Registration Established club, school, or community teams can register as a complete unit to compete in the competitive divisions. Note: Full teams that are able to provide their own weekday practice facility will be eligible for a discounted team registration rate!

Quick Look: Game Format & Rules

To ensure athletes learn the game at a pace that matches their physical development, GMA implements progressive age-appropriate modifications:

Game Lengths:

• 4U: Four 6-minute quarters (Running clock)

• 6U: Four 7-minute quarters (Running clock)

• 8U & 10U: Four 8-minute quarters (Running clock with late-game stop-clock situations)

• 12U–17U: Four 8-minute quarters (Standard clock rules)

Hoop Heights & Equipment:

• 4U: 6-foot hoops | Smaller basketballs

• 6U & 8U: 8-foot hoops | Smaller basketballs

• 10U–17U: 10-foot hoops | Regulation basketballs by age

On-Court Rules (4U/6U Recreational):

• 5v5 format with a strict focus on equal playing time.

• Man-to-man defensive principles only (No full-court press, no zone defense).

• Relaxed enforcement of traveling and double dribble; officials will stop play to teach and explain violations.

• No published standings or win/loss records.

On-Court Rules (8U-17U Competitive):

• Progressive defensive rules by age (introducing press and zone at older levels).

• Games managed by two certified, experienced officials.

• Official scorekeeping, league standings, and playoff seeding.

Full Rulebook