Pioneer Elite Basketball
2019-2020
Parent Guide
Mission statement – To develop fundamentally skilled, knowledgeable, hardworking, and competitive individuals who compete as a team. Teaching the lessons of sportsmanship and pride in red & white we will prepare future Pioneer basketball players.
Philosophy of the Program
Our most important responsibility is to develop teams and individual players, not win basketball games. We feel our goals are unique from other programs in that we are a feeder program, with the task of teaching fundamental skills that will prepare players for the present and future participation at Kirkwood High School.
We feel by doing things the “right way” we will teach fundamentals that will benefit players as they grow in the game and our teams will win games as a byproduct teaching the game correctly.
Eligibility for the Pioneer Elite program
In order to participate in the Pioneer Elite program you must meet one of the criteria listed below:
- Live within the Kirkwood R-7 school boundary
- Attend Kirkwood schools as the child of a current faculty member, or via the VTS program or Riverview transfer program.
- Live within the boundary area, attending a school, which is not directly affiliated with another area high school. (ex. MICDS, Chaminade, Westminster)
Benchmarks of the Program
Our players will learn how to play man to man defense.
All players will be encouraged to develop perimeter and post skills regardless of size.
Players will give 100% effort and will treat opponents, teammates, and coaches with respect at all times.
Coaches will act as professionals.
Partnering our Programs
The Pioneer Elite program has been designed to model the Kirkwood Basketball program. All coaching terms, offenses, and defenses are modified from those that are taught to the players at the high school level. The Pioneer Elite 8th grade teams will NOT work with the high school staff at any time to comply with MSHSAA regulations.
Coaches in our Program
We have limited teams in our program as we feel we must have quality coaching at each level. Our coaches are volunteers who are giving of their time to work in the Pioneer Elite Basketball program.
Helping Others
We have worked hard to create a program that is able to help those who wish to participate even when they are not able to afford it. How can you help?
1) We could use help during the tournament we host on November 23 2) You could help provide transportation to an athlete
3) Some have offered extra fees to help others participate.
If you are aware of situations such as these, please contact Nick Struhbar or your coach.
Parent/Coach Communication
Communication you should expect from your child’s coach
- Philosophy
- Expectations for the team
- Locations and times of practices and contests
- Team requirements
- Team Policies/Procedures
Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches
- The treatment of your child, mentally or physically
- Ways to help your child improve
- Concerns about your child’s behavior
- How your child can help the team to be competitive.
Inappropriate concerns to discuss with coaches
- Playing time
- Team strategy
- Play Calling
- Other athletes
Parent/Coach Conferences
If there are situations that require a conference between the coach and the parent please follow the following to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.
- If you have an issue please contact the coach of your team for clarification or to set up a conference.
- PLEASE do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or game.
- All conferences should include the coach, parent and athlete.
- If a resolution cannot be reached, the parent may then call to set up an appointment with the Elite director, coach and athlete.
Team Selection & Placement
Players will be placed on either the Red, White, or Black team. Players may be moved between any of the rosters during the season. Parents will be notified as soon as possible as it relates to scheduling(website). Our coaches will evaluate and develop players throughout the season and it is our goal to place them where they can be challenged and successful.
Team Attendance Practice/Games Expectations:
Players are expected to attend every practice and every game.
Practices are very important to the success of the program and are often more beneficial than games. Coaches must be notified in advance of absences from practice or games.
Absence from practice will result in the loss of game time.
Pioneer Elite Information
Every effort will be made to submit practice, game, and other important information on our website,pioneerelitebasketball.com. Please check the site often for the most recent news.
Latest Pioneer Elite info with the Team App
- Download Team App from the Apple or Google Play app store.
- sign up to Team App. You will be sent an email to confirm your registration.
- Log into the App and search for “Pioneer Elite Basketball”
- Choose your applicable access groups.
Practice Schedule
The practice schedule has been included and can be found on our website, pioneerelitebasketball.com. All practices are also on the Pioneer Elite app. Practices will be held at Kirkwood High School on most occasions.
Questions
Do you have a question? It’s very possible you will find the answer in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of our website, including the address to send Elite fees.
If you need to contact your coach, you will find a listing of coaches, phone numbers, and e-mails in this document.
League Games
Teams in grades 4-8 will participate in the CNR league where they will play 10 league games. You can access the league website at http://www.cnrbasketball.com/ for the latest standings. The league schedule has not yet been released. We will get you a copy of the schedule as soon as they are available. Game schedules will be placed on the team page on our site, pioneerelitebasketball.com. We will play most games at Kirkwood High School on Sundays.
Tournament Schedule
Each team will play three tournaments. The events will be listed on team schedules as soon as they are available.
Nov 23: Suburban Jr. Tourney (sponsored by Pioneer Elite Basketball) at KHS (grade 4-8 ** all teams all levels)
Jan 4, 2020: Lindbergh Flyer Classic, Lindbergh (grades 4-8 ** all White teams all levels)
Feb 22 & 23, 2020: Lyndsey Ellis Memorial Tournament, Parkway South H.S.
Other Tournaments TBA at this time.
10 Commandments for Parents with Athletes (from the Kirkwood High School Student/Parent Athletic Handbook):
- Make sure your child knows that win or lose; you appreciate their efforts and are not disappointed in him.
- Be honest about your child’s athletic capability, competitive attitude, sportsmanship and actual skill level.
- Be helpful – but don’t coach them. It is tough not to, but it is tougher for the child to be inundated with advice, pep talks and critical instruction.
- Try not to live your athletic life through your children in a way that creates pressure. Do not pressure them because of your lost pride.
- Do not compete with the coach.
- Do not compare the skills, courage, or attitudes of your child with other team members.
- Get to know the coach so you can be assured the philosophy, attitudes, ethics and knowledge are such that you are happy to have your child coached and led by him.
- Always remember that children tend to exaggerate, both when praised and when criticized. Temper your reaction and investigate before overreacting.
- Understand courage, and that it is relative. Explain that courage is not the absence of fear but a means of doing something in spite of fear or discomfort.
- Always remember, “It is just a game” and encourage your child to have fun.
Pioneer Elite Player/Fan Behavior
Members of the Pioneer Elite basketball family will NOT berate officials. We will treat officials and members of opposing teams with respect. Coaches will act in a professional manner and will mentor correct behavior to our players. Parents/Players who can’t abide by these terms will not be allowed to participate in the program.
Pioneer Elite Fees
The fee for participation in the Pioneer Elite program is 305.00 for the winter season.
Fees will cover uniform top/bottom, travel bag (new players), shooting shirt, practice fees (gym rental), league games, tournaments.
If you wish to pay in two installments, the first payment of 155.00 is due by November 1. The final payment of 150.00 is due by December 1. ***RETURNING PARENTS CAN MAKE THEIR FIRST PAYMENT ON OCTOBER 30 PRIOR TO OUR FIRST PRACTICE SESSION
PLEASE DO NOT GIVE PAYMENT TO YOUR COACH. DO NOT SUBMIT TO AN ELEMENTARY OR MIDDLE SCHOOL
Please submit payment to PIONEER ELITE BASKETBALL via U.S. mail to:
Pioneer Elite Basketball
Attn: Coach Strubhar
1810 Enola Court
St. Louis MO 63122
