Basketball Winter League
Nov. 10, 2024 – Feb. 2025
Winter League is the primary season for all youth basketball players in Orange County. SoCal Elite’s Basketball League offers the best, most organized experience for all ages and skill levels in the Irvine and Tustin areas.
Rookie divisions (Boys TK–1st & Girls K–2nd grade) play on Saturdays for 1.5 hours which includes a pregame instructional practice and a game. All games are played on 6-foot or 8-foot hoops, and each player is guaranteed 20 minutes of playing time.
Youth divisions (Boys 2nd–12th & Girls 3rd–8th grade) play Sunday games after 10:30 AM and weekday practices. All games are played on 10-foot hoops, and each player is guaranteed 20 minutes of playing time.
- Dates: View Calendar of Events
- Season: 8 games guaranteed
- Location: IUSD / TUSD gyms
We started with SoCal Elite in the rec leagues and moved up to club basketball thereafter. All together, we’ve been with SoCal Elite for about 5 years. In the leagues and academy, SoCal Elite provided my son with the environment to work on his individual skills and fundamentals. Overall, I recommend SoCal Elite if your child is serious about basketball.
SoCal Elite has it all. Whether you’re looking for a rec league, a camp, weekly training or a club team, SoCal Elite has it covered. My son has been playing in SoCal Elite since kinder and started with the parent-coached rec league. That was was a great time coaching his teams for several years and seeing his growth as a player. So if you’re looking for a great way to bond with your kid, SoCal Elite has it.
My two boys played SoCal Elite basketball and really enjoyed it. I’ve been involved in other youth sports organizations but admittedly I don’t know much about basketball. They took the time to train me and educate me so I could help our team. It was always a great experience. Now that my boys are older, one of them is actually a referee for them. It’s a great organization.
Winter League Divisions
Rookie Divisions
Boys: TK–1st Grade • Girls: K–2nd Grade
Beginner players with instruction and pregame practices. All games are played on 8-foot hoops (except Boys TK on 6-foot hoops). Each player is guaranteed 20 minutes of playing time per game and each team has up to 10 players max.
League Format
Saturday only commitment – 90 minute time slot consisting of a practice/clinic led by our staff followed by a game
Games
8 practices/games guaranteed!
- Boys TK / Pre-K: Saturdays after 8 AM
- Boys K–1st: Saturdays after 8 AM
- Girls K–2nd: Saturdays after 8 AM
Practice + Game = 1.5 hours each week
Locations (Irvine & Tustin)
- IUSD gyms
- TUSD gyms
Divisions
- BTK (Pre-Kindergarten)
- BK (Kindergarten)
- B1 (1st Grade)
- GK-1 (Girls K-1st)
- G1-2 (Girls 1st-2nd)
Youth Divisions
Boys: 2nd–12th Grade • Girls: 3rd–8th Grade
Youth players looking for equal playing time and skill levels. Each player is guaranteed 20 minutes of playing time per game and each team has up to 10 players max. All games are played on 10-foot hoops (except Boys 2nd Grade on 9-foot hoops).
League Format
Parent Volunteer Coaches are required to hold at least 1 outside practice per week. Practice times are determined by the coach and team.
Player Evaluations
Preseason Player Evaluations are mandatory before the season begins for fair team formation.
Games
8 games guaranteed!
- Boys 2nd–8th: Sunday games after 10:30 AM
- Girls 3rd–8th: Sunday games after 10:30 AM
- Boys HS (9th–12th): Sunday games after 10:30 AM
Locations (Irvine & Tustin)
- IUSD gyms
- TUSD gyms
Divisions
- B2 (2nd Grade)
- B3 (3rd Grade)
- B4 (4th Grade)
- B5 (5th Grade)
- B6 (6th Grade)
- B7 (7th Grade)
- B8 (8th Grade)
- HS (9th–12th Grade)
- G3 (3rd/4th Grade)
- G2 (5th/6th Grade)
- G1 (7th/8th Grade)
About The League
Calendar of Events
Tentative Dates (subject to change)
Fri, July 5th: Registration opens
Fri, Nov. 8th: Registration closes
Sun, Nov. 10th: Player Evaluations
Nov. 19th – Nov. 27th: Team Drafts
Dec. 7th/8th: Week 1
Dec. 14th/15th: Week 2
Dec. 21st – Jan. 5th: No Games (Winter Break)
Jan. 11th/12th: Week 3
Jan. 20th & 21st: No Games (MLK)
Jan. 25th/26th: Week 4
Feb. 1st/2nd: Week 5
Feb. 8th/9th: Week 6
Feb. 15th/16th: Week 7
Feb. 22nd/23rd: Week 8
FAQ
SoCal Elite Sports prides itself on having the best youth basketball league in Orange County. What started out as a “Rookie League” for grades K–2nd has transformed into one of the largest youth basketball leagues in Orange County. After over 28 seasons, SoCal Elite has tailored its league to meet popular demands and has remained in tune with the ever-changing ways of basketball. Basketball is a dynamic sport in which trends, styles and rules are constantly being tweaked. The key to SoCal Elite’s success has been creating the most enjoyable experience possible for all players. Experienced staff members and coaches manage SoCal Elite’s operations, which leads to a more productive environment for players. Unlike most youth basketball organizations, SoCal Elite has four seasonal leagues in the spring, summer, fall and winter. This allows players to play year-round, if they so choose.
The Winter League is the prime time for youth basketball. During other seasons (spring, summer and fall), most youth players play multiple sports or have other obligations. As a result, our Spring/Summer/Fall Leagues are just 6-8 games on Sundays. The Spring/Summer/Fall Leagues are our off-season leagues and are primarily for those players who wish to play basketball games year-round. If you would like additional practice during our off-season leagues, please join our SoCal Elite Academy.
Our coaches are parent volunteers. Our staff members will assist any coaches who need help or who are coaching for the very first time.
All games are played at local IUSD / TUSD High School gyms, Concordia University, the Jewish Community Center (JCCOC) or at local community center gyms.
For our Rookie and Youth Divisions, equal participation for all players is guaranteed. Each player is guaranteed to play a minimum of 20 minutes per game.
For the Rookie Division, teams are formed by Division first then Schools/Areas. For the Youth Division, teams are formed by grade and through drafts after player evaluations.
SoCal Elite is always looking for volunteer basketball coaches for all seasonal leagues. If you are unable to, or do not want to, volunteer to help operate SoCal Elite’s basketball leagues efficiently, you are required to pay a ‘buyout fee’ to cover the cost of bringing on additional staff members.
Winter League
SoCal Elite’s Youth Basketball Winter League is for all boys or girls, ages 4-17. The 2024-25 Winter League runs from November thru February with eight games and is for everyone: beginners, advanced and anyone in-between. SoCal Elite’s League is for players that wish to play in a basketball league with the most organized and enjoyable community-based environment.