2026-27 Basketball Tryout Registration is NOW OPEN!

2026/27 Tryout Registration (NOW OPEN)
Registration for Summer Skills Clinics (now Open)
Learn more ↓

What is THESA basketball?

THESA Basketball is a competitive, Christ-centered athletic program for both boys and girls in the Fort Worth homeschool community. Just like all THESA sports, basketball isn’t just about scores — it’s about developing strong fundamentals, disciplined athletes, and servant leaders who compete with heart and honor.

Our program emphasizes skill development, teamwork, and character growth, providing every player an opportunity to improve and represent Christ on and off the court.

  • Homeschool program

  • Boys & Girls

  • JH / JV / Varsity

  • Development → performance pathway

View Eligibility Info ↓

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

ELIGIBILITY

WHO CAN PLAY

  • Boys & Girls age 9-18 as of August 1

  • All athletes must:

    MEET or exceed the local and state regulations for academics.

    NOT be enrolled in more than 9 dual credit hours.

    NOT be enrolled in college classes as a full or part time college student.

    NOT have participated in a graduation ceremony or hold a GED or diploma from a public or private school.

    NOT be enrolled on another homeschool, private, public or select team in the same sport at the same time.

  • Basketball participates in an outside league and has additional eligibility requirements beyond THESA standards.

    All basketball athletes must be homeschooled as defined by NCHC/THSSBC Guidelines.

  • All athletes MUST be in good physical condition and submit a sports physical signed by a licensed medical professional, annually.

    All athletes MUST be living with their parent or guardian.

  • We ask that each guardian/athlete review the THESA Athletic Handbook, as we will ask each family to adhere to the Code of Conduct referenced therein.

    You will be asked to sign an agreement during the registration process.

Learn more about our eligibility requirements here.

WHO WE COMPETE WITH

Competitive League Play

THESA Basketball competes with both the NCHC (National Christian HomeSchool Championship) and THSSBC (Texas Home School State Basketball Championships), which requires the student athletes to be homeschooled in accordance with the eligibility requirements listed on their websites.

Our athletes compete in a structured season with scheduled games, standings, and postseason opportunities, providing a true competitive experience while maintaining the flexibility of a homeschool model.

Learn More about NCHC Eligibility ↓

Learn More about THSSBC Eligibility↓

QUICK LOOK

whAt to expect

► Commitment

  • Practices: 2-3 evenings per week | location & times vary based on age | Starts in Sept

  • Games: Weeknight or Saturday from Nov to Mar

  • Home Games: played in Southlake

  • Championships: NCHC postseason tournaments | March | Springfield, MO
    THSSBC State Tournament | Feb | Round Rock, TX

► Competition

  • Tryouts:
    Aug 10 | B10U, B12U, B14U
    Aug 11 | B16U, B18U
    Aug 13 | G10U, G12U, G14U, G16U, G18U

  • Tryouts are required; participation does not guarantee making the team

  • Teams built for development and progression

  • Varsity playing time and roles are earned

► Family Involvement

THESA is a volunteer-driven organization.

Families support:

  • Home Game-day operations

  • Team support roles for practices and away games

  • Events (ie. Senior Night, and End-of-year banquets)

► Cost & Equipment

Families should plan for:

  • Sport fees: 10U- $450 | 12U- $550 | 14U- $600
    16U- $700 | 18U- $700 | Due September 1

  • Game uniform ($215)

  • Fundraising opportunities are available once registered for the season.

  • communication

    All communication, schedules, and updates are managed through the TeamLinkt app.

    👉 Once registered, this will be your primary source of information

  • REGISTRATION TIMELINE

    Summer Skills Registration: OPEN NOW

    Tryout Registration: NOW OPEN

  • COACHING STAFF

    Brent Dobbins, Director of Operations

    Full Coaching Staff

summer skills sessions

START HERE

The best way to get involved is through our off-season sessions.

Boys Basketball

  • Saturday morning skills sessions

  • Starting May 16 for select dates thru July

  • Open to all ages 12U+

  • Available for both returning and new athletes

  • Cross Church, North Richland Hills

Girls Basketball

  • Wednesday morning skills sessions

  • Starting May 6 for select dates thru July

  • Open to all ages 10U+

  • Available for both returning and new athletes

  • Countryside Bible Church, Southlake

Learn more about summer skills sessions

NOTE: Summer Skills Sessions and in-season registrations are separate.

Basketball sponsors

  • children's art classes keller
  • phelps
  • Scupt

  • I highly recommend THESA Sports

    I highly recommend THESA Sports for their exceptional coaching staff who prioritize not just skill development but also character building. The environment is family-friendly, fostering strong relationships among players and families. Additionally, their faith-based approach adds a unique and supportive dimension to the sports experience. - Jessica

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • THESA is a competitive basketball program (similar to trying out for a school team). 

    We typically do not roster more than 10 (can go up to 12 with coach approval) players per team. 

    Accordingly, players are sometimes cut based on the # of teams we have at each age group; however, we often have more than one team per age group. This is contingent upon having the requisite coaches, practice space, and games to field a team.  

  • Please have your athlete attend both tryouts so we can gauge his/her skill level against both age groups.

  • Yes, it is possible to play for more than one team.  However, a 12U athlete can play for 12U & 14U and a 16U athlete can play for 16U & 18U.

    Given that games and practices can often conflict between younger/older teams, we don’t recommend 14U athletes, trying to play both 14U and 16U unless both coaches agree and it is logistically feasible.

  • No, there would be only one fee.

  • For those who attend tryouts, we will send a group email and/or text msg. inviting them to the team ~ one week after tryouts/coaches look. 

  • We follow the guidelines established by NCHC.  Please review www.nchclive.com/guidelines and email basketball@thesariders.com if you have questions.

  • We encourage all athletes to try out. Should they make the team, we will work to not only build their skills, but also their Christian character.  As athletes get older, experience will be more important.

    We encourage players to attend offseason workouts, individual clinics, and to play recreationally with other organized programs to gauge their commitment, skill, and willingness to improve.

  • There is no secondary tryout date.  We recognize that there could be conflicts and respectfully request you do everything you can to attend the tryout. 

    Should you not be able, please contact us in advance and we will invite you to our “Coaches’ Look” and make our recommendation from there.

  • We will do a skills assessment that consists of lay-ups, shooting, defense, ball-handling, conditioning, etc. and likely have time for a scrimmage. 

    We will also spend a few minutes talking to parents/athletes about the program.

  • This is the age cutoff for the Junior High (interchangeably used with Middle School) and High School teams.

    Example:

    • 10U is for boys/girls that are 10 and under as of Aug 1

    • 12U is for boys/girls that are 11-12 as of Aug 1

    • 14U is for boys/girls that are 13-14 as of Aug 1

    • 16U is for boys/girls that are 15-16 as of Aug 1

    • 18U is for boys/girls that are 17-18 as of Aug 1

    A student-athlete can “play up” to a higher age group, provided they are skilled enough to do so, but can not “play down” with a lower age group.