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Welcome
We would like to take an opportunity to welcome all of the players, coaches, and parents to the 2025 Winter Classic. Our tournament staff will strive to make this a positive tournament experience for each participating team and their families. This event is the smallest of three events hosted annually by the Wildcats Basketball program. Our second largest event, the Midwest Hoop Fest, held on February 16, will draw 100+ teams. Our largest event will be played July 24-26, in Chicago. We expect 300+ teams from 20 states and Canada to participate in that event. Over 50 courts are used for the event, which was moved to Chicago 15 years ago, so that more air-conditioned facilities with wood courts could be used and so that more lodging was available for the tournament participants. During optional pre-event competition on July 23, players compete in NBA 2-Ball, Free Throw and Three Point contests, as well as All Star games.
AND MOST OF ALL PLEASE REMEMBER
These are kids. It’s just a game.
The coaches are volunteers. The referees are human.
No college scholarships will be handed out today.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAMS!
Jason Schwebke
Tournament Director
Tournament Rules:
Arrival: Each team should arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled game time. Games may begin up to 10 minutes early ONLY if BOTH coaches agree.
Coach Bands: Two coaches and one score/timekeeper are allowed entry into the games without paying admission.
Score/Timekeeper: Each team is responsible for providing one adult, at least 18 years of age, to run the clock, or keep the scorebook. The scorebook must be kept at the scorer’s table, and there can be NO coaching by the person while keeping the scorebook or running the clock.
Team Check-In: Each coach, assistant coach, & score/timekeeper must check-in individually to receive their tournament wristband. Only three passes will be issued per team, no exceptions.
Roster: No player may be listed on two team rosters in the same age division. Coaches should include any players that may play in any game of the tournament on their roster for the first game, even if the player(s) is/are not present at the first game.
Pre-game warm-up: Pre-game warm-up will a minimum of three minutes and will be more if time allows.
Halftime: Halftime will be a minimum of three minutes and maximum of five minutes.
Two 18-minute halves: The clock will only stop during time-outs or by referee’s discretion EXCEPT for during the last two minutes of each half of regulation play, during which the clock will stop on all dead balls (except made baskets).
Overtime: First overtime will be two minutes, with the clock stopping on dead balls (except made baskets) ONLY in the last ONE minute of overtime, or by referee’s discretion. Second overtime will be sudden death (first scored point—FT or FG—wins).
Bonus: One and one bonus will be shot on the 7th team foul of each half. Double Bonus: Two shot bonus will be shot on the 10th team foul in each half.
Time-outs: There will be two 30-second time outs per half, which do not carry over from half to half. There will be one 30-second time-out per overtime, which does not carry over from overtime to overtime.
Pressing: 7th & 8th grade divisions: with a 20-point lead or more, no press is allowed. 5th & 6th grade divisions: with a 15-point lead or more, no press is allowed. Teams in the 4th grade division may only press in the last two minutes of each half, if less than a 15-point lead. Teams in the 3rd grade division may only press in the last ONE minute of the 2nd half ONLY.
Defense: Any defense is allowed. (i.e., Man-to-man or zone)
20 Point Lead: If a team is down by 20+ points in final two minutes of the 2nd half ONLY, the clock will only stop during timeouts.
3-Point FGs: Three-point field goals are allowed in all age groups.
Basketball Size: Boys 9U-12U Use 28.5, Boys 13U-14U Use 29.5 Regulation Ball, All Girls Use 28.5. If BOTH coaches agree to use a 29.5 size basketball in 12U boys, it is permitted.
Technical Foul: Technical fouls will result in an automatic two points and the ball for the offended team.
Pool Play: Because teams are guaranteed a minimum number of games, for any team to advance from pool play to a bracketed portion of the tournament, the team must compete in all pool games.
Forfeit Rule: To keep the tournament games on schedule, a team that arrives more than 10 minutes late will start the game with a 15-0 deficit. The game will then consist of two 12-minute halves. If a team is more than 15 minutes late, the team will forfeit the game. The score will be recorded 15-0 in the official tournament standings.
Seeding Criteria: Seeding is based on the following criteria, in the order shown:
1. Win/Loss Record;
2. Head to Head Competition;
3. Point Differential:
(Maximum of +15 and -15 per game…applies to pool games only)
4. Defensive points allowed in pool games only;
5. Offensive points scored in pool games only;
6. Coin Flip
Age Groups: Complete age rules can be found online: www. nationalsummerclassic.com.
Additional Rules: In addition to the rules listed on this document, games will be governed by NFHS rules. The tournament director reserves the right to make rulings in the greater interest of the tournament if necessary. Those rulings are final.
Arlington Cardinals
G-K Junior Cogs
Immanuel Lutheran
Belvidere
Oregon J-Hawks
Illinois Attack - 4th
Immanuel Lutheran Knights (Belvidere)
Jr Titans - Lamay
M14Hoops 4th Black 1
Midwest Wildcats-Bailey
Oregon J-Hawks
Rock Falls Rockets
Rockford Elite
3RD GRADE BOYS: 7TH GRADE BOYS D1: 8TH GRADE BOYS D1:
Dubuque Mustangs
Geneva Vikings - 7th Gold
Illinois Raptors
Jr Falcons Elite
Belvidere Jr. Thunder 5th Grade - Rossato
Illinois Attack - 5th
Jr Titans
Rockford Elite
M14Hoops 5th Black 2
Midwest Raiders
Midwest Wildcats-Stocker Oswego East Wolfpack Silver
Illinois Attack - 6th M14Hoops 6th Black 1
Illinois Attack - 6th
Jr Titans
M14Hoops 7th Black 1
Rockford 1 Shot
Rockford Elite
GREENFIELD GREEN
Harvard Junior Hornets
Midwest Wildcats 7B Blue
Rockford Elite
Belvidere North
Jr. Thunder
Blessed Ballers
Elite Legacy
Galena Generals
Jr Titans
Midwest Wildcats- Lindsay Winnebago
Yorkville Christian Mustangs
Harvard Junior Hornets
Junior Cogs
M14Hoops 8th Black 2
Midwest Wildcats-Colson
Midwest Wildcats-Palmer
Oswego East Wolfpack Blue
Oswego East
Wolfpack Silver
Stillman Valley
5TH GRADE GIRLS:
BN Gators 4th Jr. Cogs
Midwest Wildcats-Morris Midwest Wildcats-Powers
6TH GRADE GIRLS D1:
Illinois Attack - 6th
M14Hoops 6th Black 1
Rockford Elite WRS
6TH GRADE GIRLS D2:
Crystal Lake Jr. Gators 6th grade (Murren)
M14Hoops 6th Black 1
Midwest Wildcats Johnston-Carolina
QC Evolution
7TH GRADE GIRLS:
BN Gators - Blue
BN Gators - Orange
M14Hoops 7th Black 1
Midwest Wildcats-Cooper
Midwest Wildcats-Longstreet Mukwonago Indians
Oregon Wolverinas 2031
8TH GRADE GIRLS D1:
BN Gators
M14Hoops 8th Black 1
Midwest Wildcats-Lynde WLW ELITE
8TH GRADE GIRLS D1:
Hampshire Jr. Whips
M14Hoops 8th Black 2
Madison Edgewood
Midwest Wildcats-Johnston
Upcoming Tournaments:
Fun Facts
1. Basketball Was Invented by a PE
Teacher
In 1891, Dr. James Naismith, a physical education instructor at a YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts, was tasked with creating a new game to keep his students active during the cold winter months. His solution? Basketball. With nothing but a soccer ball and two peach baskets, Naismith invented a game that would soon take the world by storm. His primary objective was to create a non-violent game that focused on skill, not brute strength, which is how basketball was born.
2. Dribbling wasn’t allowed
Players never could advance the ball. Instead, each player had to throw it from wherever it was caught. The first team credited with advancing the ball by dribbling played at Yale in 1897, and the official allowance for the dribble, just one per possession at first, was adopted four years later.
3. A soccer ball is the first basketball used back in the day Originally, basketball was played with a soccer ball. The first ball made specifically for basketball was brown, and this remained standard until the late 1950s. Tony Hinkle, looked for a ball that would be more visible to players and spectators alike, and so the orange-colored version of the ball came to be.
4. The First Official Women’s League Formed in 1978
Over the decades, women’s basketball grew in popularity until, in 1976, women’s basketball became an Olympic sport. This set the stage for it to grow further over the next few years. In 1978, America started its own league with the Women’s Basketball League. Sadly, that league suffered from financial issues and collapsed in 1981. Although, the women’s sport has had a new lease of life in the form of the WNBA starting in 1996.
5. The Globetrotters Almost Always Win Against the Generals
The Washington Generals are not a standard team. It is rare that they play against any team except the Harlem Globetrotters and exist only to uplift their rival team. The team moves around the country and usually brings a local celebrity or other invitees to the team. The Globetrotters then use them as a heel or stooge to show off their skill. Over around 16,000 games against the Harlem Globetrotters, the Washington Generals have only ever won 4 games.
6. The NBA Was Founded in 1946
The National Basketball Association (NBA), now the world’s most prestigious professional basketball league, was founded in New York City in 1946. Initially known as the Basketball Association of America (BAA), it merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949 to become the NBA. The league started with just 11 teams, and the very first game was played between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies.
7. Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-Point Game Is Still an NBA Record
On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain set an NBA record that still stands today by scoring an incredible 100 points in a single game for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks. This feat remains one of the most legendary performances in basketball history, and no player has come close to matching it since.
8. The Boston Celtics Have the Most Championships
The Boston Celtics are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. With 17 NBA championships to their name, the Celtics share the title for the most championships in league history with their arch-rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics’ golden era came in the 1960s when they won 11 championships in 13 seasons, led by legendary players like Bill Russell.
9. The Term “Triple-Double” Was Popularized by Magic Johnson
A “triple-double” occurs when a player records double-digit figures in three statistical categories during a single game, usually points, rebounds, and assists. While the achievement existed before, the term “triple-double” gained popularity in the 1980s thanks to the dazzling performances of Magic Johnson, who frequently racked up such stats.
10. Three pointers
The three-pointer now plays such a huge part of modern-day basketball. But it actually wasn’t a thing in the NBA until the 1979-80 season, where they borrowed the idea from the ABA.
11. The First Slam Dunk
There’s no denying that dunking is one of the most exciting parts of the game. The first person to dunk was in 1944, a 7ft tall center who played for Oklahoma, who was pinned by defenders under the ring and accidentally stuffed the ball in the basket. Dunking actually ended up becoming banned in the 1960’s for about 10 years, mostly because Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was dominating with this move. Luckily this ban didn’t last!
