Head Coach
Coach Gould
Coach Gould leads the Lions with one goal: every player leaves practice smiling, sweating, and a little better at basketball than when they arrived.
About
Little Lions, Big Hearts
We are a PreK and Kindergarten basketball team in Arizona, proud to play as part of Arizona Youth Sports.
Our program
Fun. Fundamentals. Friendship.
Everything we do for our youngest players comes back to three simple ideas.
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Fun
Smiles come first. Our practices and games are packed with play, silly warm-ups and lots of high-fives. If your Lion leaves happy and ready to come back, it was a great day.
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Fundamentals
We keep the skills simple: dribble, pass, shoot and move our feet. Lowered hoops and short stations let little players try, miss and try again at their own pace.
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Friendship
Basketball is a team game, so Lions learn to share the ball, take turns and cheer for each other. For many kids, this is where their first teammates and first friends happen.
The season
What a Lions Season Looks Like
Practices to learn, games to play and a big celebration at the end. Exact dates live on the schedule.
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First practice
Meet the coaches, find a friend and try every station. No experience needed, just sneakers and a big smile.
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Season opener
Time to put on the jersey! Families fill the sideline and the Lions take the court together.
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Picture day
Team photo and a few individual shots in full uniform. A silly roar is always welcome.
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Last game
One more game and one more round of high-fives. Look how far every Lion has come!
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End-of-season party
We celebrate every player and every family. Check the schedule for the details.
How games work
Basketball, Kid-Sized
We shrink the game so little players can enjoy every minute of it.
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Lowered hoops, smaller ball
Baskets sit lower and the ball is sized for little hands, so shooting is actually possible.
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Short quarters
Quick periods with lots of substitutions keep every Lion fresh, happy and moving.
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Everyone plays
Every player gets real court time in every game.
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Coaches on the court
Coaches stay close to help with where to run, when to pass and which basket is ours.
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Scores are optional
Effort, teamwork and kindness get the loudest cheers. Baskets are a bonus.
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Parents cheer for every kid
Loud, kind and for everyone on the court, on both teams.
Details follow Arizona Youth Sports rules.
Staff
Your Coaches
Meet the grown-ups behind our 10 Lions. They bring the whistles, the cones and a lot of high-fives.
Assistant Coach
Coach Sam
Keeps the drills moving, the cones in a line, and the high-fives coming. Coach Sam is the Lions' number one cheerleader at every practice.
Team Parent
Team Parent (TBD)
Keeps the snack rotation running smoothly and collects the best team photos of the season. Want to help? Just say hi to Coach Gould.
League
Part of Arizona Youth Sports
The Lions are proud to play in Arizona Youth Sports. Game rules and official league information come from the league, and our coaches bring the fun to every practice. Want the league details? Visit their website, or send us a note and we will point you the right way.