Travel Basketball
About
OJBB’s Travel Program is open to all boys and girls in grades 3rd – 8th, residing within the township of Oradell. The experience is designed to foster a love for basketball and offered to players seeking a more competitive environment. Players must try out for the opportunity to be accepted into the program.
OJBB Travel teams play in the Bergen Travel Basketball League (BTBL). Practices begin in November and the 14-game season concludes with playoffs in March. The BTBL uses a flighting system for teams to play at their appropriate level of competition. It is common for teams to move flights from season to season. For more details about the BTBL league, visit Bergen Travel Basketball League.
Coaching
Currently, our 3rd through 6th teams are led by a volunteer Head Coach and assisted by an Assistant Coach. Our 7th and 8th grade teams are led by a hired coach and supported by a volunteer parent coaches. Additional parent volunteers may be called upon to assist with game logistics, such as bookkeeping and running the clock.
Travel Team Tryouts
All Players must attend at least one tryout, but it is highly encouraged to make both tryout dates if possible. There will be two 1-hour sessions offered for each grade conducted by independent outside evaluators.
Every evaluation year is a new evaluation year, which continues to present the fairest possible atmosphere for everyone involved. Evaluations will be presented to the board and teams will be formed and finalized by OJBB. Players that have made teams in previous years are not guaranteed to make the current year team.
Travel Team Formations
Grades 4th through 8th with 2 teams will be structured as A/B teams based on evaluation results from tryouts.
Grades 3rd and 4th aim for a maximum of 12 players per team.
Grades 5th through 8th aim for a maximum of 10 players per team.
Players will be placed on a team based on the evaluations and then placed in the appropriate flight level according to the league. All team assignments are final and players can not request to move to another team. In an effort to maximize placement, we may form joint teams with River Edge or create mixed-grade teams when necessary.
Fees are collected, and uniforms are ordered after team formations are finalized.
Season and Participation
The travel basketball season will begin with practices scheduled shortly after team formation is complete.
Practices are closed-door sessions exclusively for players and coaches to foster focus and team development.
Please note there are no minimum playing time requirements, except for certain BTBL-specific requirements that apply to 3rd-grade teams. For all other grades, playing time is determined by several factors, including player development, game situations, and practice participation.
OJBB emphasizes that parents should wait a minimum of 24 hours before addressing concerns directly with coaches. If a significant issue arises, parents are encouraged to communicate directly with the appropriate Travel Commissioner for resolution. Coaches may also escalate concerns to the Travel Commissioner when necessary to ensure a fair and effective resolution.