Girls Basketball
The Tennessee HEAT Girls Basketball Program is part of the Mid-South Homeschool Athletic Conference (MHAC). Our mission is to develop young women of excellence who glorify God through success both in basketball and in life. We work hard to develop our girls individually and as a team to reach their maximum potential in a safe environment cultivated by a culture of JOY (Jesus first, Others second, You last). Our players are respectful, courageous, hardworking, and kind. We are not just a team; we are a family. We work hard on and off the court to honor God and to prepare ourselves to win ball games.
Ages
Our program consists of homeschooled athletes ages 8-18, including 10u, 12u, 14u, and 18u teams. A player’s age group is determined by her age on August 1 of the current school year. Players may be eligible to compete in a higher age group based on ability.
When
Tryouts and team selections occur in the late summer, preceded by open-gym summer training opportunities. Regular season begins in late October and runs through mid-March, concluding at the National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships in Springfield, MO.
Where
Practices are generally in the Wilson County area in various gymnasiums. Games are in the Middle TN area with occasional travel to regional games for conference and tournament play.
Fees
Team fees are generally between $550-850 depending on age group and covers a variety of expenses including:
- Uniforms and travel gear
- Referees
- Gym rentals
- Team-building activities
- Team registration fees for tournaments
Volunteering
We are a volunteer-run organization. Each Heat family is expected to volunteer throughout the season, assisting with various tasks such as bookkeeping or game clock, concessions, admissions, setup/cleanup of facilities, or filming/photography.
Coaches
Head coaches and assistant coaches are background-checked volunteers. Every coach undergoes training on concussion and cardiac arrest and is CPR-certified.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to participate?
Each team sets their own player participation fees based on various factors. Fees usually range between $550-850/season. Fundraising opportunities are available for families upon request.
Are there extra fees in addition to player participation fees?
Families should anticipate travel costs in addition to player fees as well as gate fees to games and tournaments as required by various facilities.
My child is a beginner. Is Tennessee HEAT right for her?
If your child is 10 or younger, consider joining our fun-filled summer 10U league, an entry-level program focused on developing aspiring players and open to anyone who wishes to participate! Additionally, we offer a fundamentals program called Sparks + Flames where the group practices a dribbling routine and performs during halftime at some of our girls’ home basketball games in the fall.
However, keep in mind that for older players, Tennessee HEAT is a competitive basketball program. Our 12U-18U teams compete against various schools and clubs in the area and participate in high-level regional and national tournaments. If your child has never played or does not have at least some experience, our recommendation is to play for a recreational league for a year or two before trying out for the Heat.
How often does each team practice?
Our younger teams practice about 2 days a week and play 1-2 games per week during the season. Our older teams will have games or practices about 4-5 days per week. Games could fall on any day of the week except for Wednesday and Sunday (with the exception of an occasional tournament game).
Do you have pre-season training opportunities and practices?
Yes, our teams offer scrimmages, skills trainings, and strength and conditioning sessions during pre-season for team members who are available. These usually begin in late May or early June and go throughout September.
How many kids are on each team, and does each one receive equal playing time?
Usually there are about 10-12 kids on each team. However, some teams roster 16-18 kids and have a Varsity and a Junior Varsity team with their own game schedules. Because we are a competitive program, kids are not guaranteed equal playing time during games.
What size basketball do I need for my child?
Our 12U-18U girls program requires a Size 6 basketball, which is the women’s regulation size.
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2025-2026 Season
Tryouts for our girls program (12U-18U) will be held at Jones Brummett Elementary School in July 2025. Please click on the button below to register. We will be in touch with more information once the date and time have been determined.
Register