GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

As part of the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs dynamic collaboration with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA), the C.W. Avery Family YMCA, Galowich Family YMCA, and Morris Hospital YMCA will host preliminary rounds of the Illinois YMCAs Statewide 2-Ball Tournament on Sunday, January 26.

Under the statewide theme, “The Dream Starts Here,” this collaboration brings together the resources and expertise of YMCAs across Illinois, the IHSA, and the IESA to inspire a new generation of leaders and athletes by promoting participation in youth sports statewide. Additionally, the initiative encourages young people to consider jobs and volunteer opportunities at the Y where they can gain valuable skills and hands-on experience to pursue career pathways in sports-related fields like coaching, officiating, and sports administration.

EVENT DETAILS
The Illinois YMCAs Statewide 2-Ball Tournament is open to kids ages 7-14 and registration is underway! Teams of two will be able to “Shoot for State” by competing in a preliminary round hosted by a local YMCA.

Boys and Girls Divisions will be available for each of the following age groups:
7-8 years
9-10 years
11-12 years
13-14 years

Host Sites:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544

REGISTER TODAY

Joliet Junior College – Event Center
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431

Event will run 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Participants will compete on a first come, first serve basis. 

REGISTER TODAY

Morris Hospital YMCA
2200 W. Dupont Avenu
Morris, IL 60450

Cost: Free and open to the community

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required for both team members. 

HOW IT WORKS

During the qualifying round, each team will have 60 seconds to score as many points as possible, shooting from designated spots on the court. The top scoring team from each division will then have their score entered into the statewide contest to be compared to winners at other event sites.

The top two statewide scores from each girls division will advance to compete in the 2-Ball finals during the championship weekend of the IHSA Girls Basketball Tournament in Normal on March 8, 2025.

The top two statewide scores from each boys division will advance to compete in the 2-Ball finals during the championship weekend of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament in Champaign on March 15, 2025.

COMPETITION RULES 

FAQS

To learn more, please contact your local Y branch:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Maria Freeh, Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217

Galowich Family YMCA
Zach Jarosz, Sports Manager
[email protected]
Phone: (815) 744-3939, ext. 317

Morris Hospital YMCA
Chris Interial, Sports Director
[email protected] 
(815) 513-8080, ext. 514

The YMCA is teaming up with Joliet Junior College (JJC) to prepare for the upcoming YBL season by hosting youth basketball clinics for kids of all ages, as well as a special coaches clinic. These FREE co-ed clinics will be taught by JJC’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Shaun Sanderson and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Danny Turner alongside members of their respective teams.

Youth Basketball Clinics

These sessions will focus on teaching young athletes the fundamentals of the game of basketball, including dribbling, passing, shooting, and ball handling.

Saturday, October 26
Grades 5-12
12:30-2 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Following the clinic on October 26, all participants and their families are invited to cheer on JJC during the annual women’s basketball Alumni game, which will begin at 3 p.m.

Saturday, November 16
Grades Pre-K-4
9-10:30 a.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Following the clinic on November 16, all participants and their families are invited to cheer on the JJC Women’s basketball team at 1 p.m.

Coaches Clinics

These sessions will provide coaches with an overview of skills, drills, practice schedules, and game strategies for the upcoming YMCA youth basketball season. Session topics will vary based on grade level, but coaches are welcome to participate in all sessions.

Saturday, December 7
Pre-K-Kindergarten: 9-10 a.m.
Grades 1-3: 10-11 a.m.
Grades 4-6: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Grades 7-12: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

All clinics will be held at the following location:
Joliet Junior College Event Center
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431

ABOUT COACH SANDERSON
As the winningest coach in the program’s history, Coach Sanderson has been at the helm of the JJC women’s basketball program for 17 seasons. Since becoming the head coach at JJC, Sanderson has helped more than 50 athletes extend their playing careers at four-year institutions and has coached 22 all-conference players, 23 all-region players, four All-Americans, and six Academic All-Americans.

ABOUT COACH TURNER
Coach Turner became the head men’s basketball coach at JJC in 2022, bringing more than 30 years of coaching experience at both the high school and collegiate levels to the Wolves program. Turner has also worked as an instructor at several high-profile camps in the Chicagoland area, including the Chicago Bulls Basketball Academy, Northwestern University, and DePaul University basketball camps.