Frequently Asked Questions

The purpose of the Macomb County Cougars Basketball Travel Club is to train and develop comprehensive basketball fundamentals that will embrace, and encourage our young student athletes looking to maximize his or her potential.

The Macomb County Cougars Basketball Travel Club is a member of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) which is the governed body that sanctioned travel teams for boys’ and girls’ grades 4th thru 11th. 2024 season will run March through May and some events in July, based on the age group, (Usually our 17 Under has 1 or 2 Tournaments in July) teams will participate in 5 – 7 tournaments within the Tri-State area; MI, OH, IL, PA, WI, KY and IN. Game days are usually Saturday and Sunday with some tournaments starting on Friday evenings (usually for high school teams only), although there have been exceptions (these will be communicated in advance).

(NOTE due to COVID all schedules fluid and subject to change)

Practices are could be held at one of the following sites, Clintondale High School Clintondale Middle School, Cairns Community Center. Practice dates and times will be 2 nights per week usually Tuesday & Thursday or Friday; each team practice will be 2 hours. Practices times are usually: 4th – 8th grade 5:30 to 7:30pm, all High school levels 7:30-9:30pm.

Yes, you can, but please look over both your schedules and make sure you do not spread yourself too thin. We encourage multi-sport athletes and participation with your high school teams and teammates. NOTE: if on occasion you must have to miss a practice or a game, with advanced notice we will excuse you, just be aware if it’s quite frequent playing time may be affected.

Your personal commitment to The Macomb County Cougars Basketball Travel Club is vital to the success of the program. Each team member needs to attend all practices and games, exhibit, and be an advocate of sportsmanship during practice, tournaments, and overnight stay. As the parent, in addition to financial support; we need your support at tournaments; your presence is important as it helps to motivate the team and shows that you are supporting and encouraging their participation in the club. Each Coach, Player and Parent will be required to commit to the Macomb County Cougars Code of Conduct which clearly defines the programs expectations and consequences as it relates to how we present and represent the program. We need your assistance with transportation and your active participation in fundraising activities which facilitates the success of the club. In addition to that working the scoring table or video camera is a huge plus. The Cougars may host 1 to 2 Fundraising Events in 2025. We are asking that all parents and players participate and also extended family members are encouraged to participate in some way to make the fundraising events a success.

Open registration starts in October/November the previous year and ends in March or until tryout numbers are reached for that particular age group! (MODIFIED DUE TO COVID) look for postings

Sure if we still have spots available

Usually 30 minutes before tipoff, sometimes special requirements are need during the NCAA certified events. 15u-17u must check in their team and during the evaluation periods they have to watch a NCAA video, sometimes pick up t-shirts, etc, so the coach usually assigns a specific time and location for everyone to meet prior to the event.

ALL teams are required to check in at the tournament Headquarters which will be posted on our website. Map is available on our website under the “Venues” section.

We usually don’t find out what time everyone plays until late in the week prior to the event, 90% of the times schedules are posted by the Thursday before the event, if changes are made refer to our website for updates unless a tournament app has been provided!

No. Your 1st game could be 4pm,2pm, 5pm….. we have no idea until the schedule is given to us. Good rule of thumb If it is a weekend tournament expect to be busy the whole weekend

Some tournaments guaranteed a minimum of 3 games, some 4 or even 5 and we could play as many as 8-10 games in a given weekend just depending on how good your team is, how many total teams in that age group and the structure of the tournament.

No, we no longer have girl teams

Yes and No some kids we recruit, some kids get recommended, and some kids just want to play and come to tryouts everyone will get evaluated on the strength of team and their own ability at the time of tryouts!

We reserve the right as to what team we put your son on as well as what level we put the team in. We have had kids play up and down, the key is to find the right fit for continued development 

We base it on skill level, team history together and the strength of the ROSTER, how well you played in the winter/spring (with your school team), who you played against, we try to get out and watch as many games possible throughout the season.

Yes and No. Even Kentucky must prove themselves every year to get into the NCAA Tournament, but if the team was successful the year before and all the players want to come back well what do you think…. Lol.