To the 23rd Annual Midwest Hoop Fest! We are excited to host you on Sunday, February 15, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois, for a full day of competitive basketball and a first-class tournament experience.
Midwest Hoop Fest has become a long-standing tradition in the region, bringing together talented 3rd–8th grade boys and girls teams for a high-energy event focused on sportsmanship, development, and competition. Each team is guaranteed three games, ensuring a full day of action for players and fans alike. To provide the best competitive balance, divisions will be organized by single grade levels, with “A” and “B” divisions available at most ages. Teams can also expect the convenience of online scheduling and live scoring, allowing coaches, players, and families to follow games and results directly from their smartphones throughout the day. Thank you for choosing Midwest Hoop Fest. We look forward to welcoming you to Rockford and providing a memorable tournament experience for everyone involved. Best of luck to all teams—we’ll see you on the court!
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
DATE
MIDWEST HOOP FEST
1
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.
BOYS PARTICIPATING TEAMS:
3RD GRADE BOYS:
Belvidere North Jr. Thunder -3rd Pearson
G-K Junior Cogs
Oregon J-Hawks
Sycamore Force 3rd
Elmhurst Airborne
GK JR COGS
Jr Titans
Midwest Wildcats-Bailey
Mt. Prospect Patriots
Oregon J-Hawks
Sycamore Force 4th
Wauconda Bulldogs
Belvidere Jr. Thunder 5th Grade - Rossato
Jr Titans
M14Hoops 5th Black 1
Oregon J-Hawks
Over the Edge
Rockford Elite 5th
STC STORM Harrington
Sycamore Force 5Gold
Cary Grove Feeder
G-K Jr Cogs
Crystal Lake Central
M14Hoops 6th Rising Gold
Rockford Elite
Kaneland Cagers 5th Black
Midwest Wildcats-Stocker
G-K Jr Cogs
Jr Titans
Sycamore Force 6th
Crystal Lake Central
Geneva Vikings - Helmigk
M14Hoops 7th Rising Gold
Rockford Elite
South Elgin Jr Storm 5th/6th Grade
Rockford Elite
Sycamore Force 7th
Unknown Elite
Midwest Wildcats 7B Blue Rising Rockets
Jr Titans
M14hoops 7th Black 1
Midwest Wildcats-Dill
Wauconda Bulldogs
M14Hoops 8th Rising Gold
Midwest Wildcats- Lindsay
Woodstock Elite
Blessed Ballers
Cary-Grove Trojans 8th grade B
Illinois Valley Rimrockers White
Junior cogs
Midwest Wildcats-Colson
North Boone Vikings
Oregon 8th grade
Wauconda Bulldogs
Winnebago
Galena Generals
Hartford Orioles
Illinois Valley Rimrockers Blue
Jr Titans
M14Hoops 8th Black 2
Midwest Wildcats-Palmer
Stillman Valley
Sycamore Force 8th
GIRLS PARTICIPATING TEAMS:
4TH GRADE GIRLS:
AIA 4th East
Belvidere Knights
Oswego East Wolfpack
STC STORM BUSH
5TH GRADE GIRLS:
AIA 5th East
BN Gators 5th
Midwest Wildcats-Powers
Oswego East Wolfpack
Galena Pirates
M14Hoops 6th 3SSB
Midwest Wildcats-Lynde WI Fever
AIA 6th East
Illinois Lady Raptors
Jr. Cogs
Midwest Wildcats Johnston-Carolina
AIA 7th East Elite
BN Gators - Blue
M14Hoops 7th Rising 3SSB
Midwest Wildcats-Cooper
AIA 7th East Red
M14Hoops 7th Black 1
Midwest Wildcats-Longstreet
Oswego East Wolfpack
BN Gators - Blue
Geneva Feeder Basketball (IL)
M14Hoops 8th Rising 3SSB
Midwest Wildcats-Lynde
AIA 8th East
M14Hoops 8th Black 2
Midwest Wildcats-Johnston Wolverinas 2031
OFFICIAL SIGNALS:
THANK YOU !
DEAR COACHES, PARENTS, OFFICIALS, AND VOLUNTEERS,
Thank you for your time, commitment, and support at the 23rd Annual Midwest Hoop Fest, held on Sunday, February 15, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois. Your collective efforts played a vital role in making this year’s event a success.
TO OUR COACHES, thank you for your leadership, preparation, and dedication to developing young athletes both on and off the court. Your influence set the tone for competitive play, sportsmanship, and respect throughout the tournament.
TO OUR PARENTS AND FAMILIES, we are grateful for your continued support and positive energy. Your encouragement from the stands helped create a welcoming and exciting atmosphere for all participants.
TO OUR OFFICIALS, thank you for your professionalism and consistency. Your work ensured that each game was conducted fairly and efficiently, allowing the focus to remain on the players and the game itself.
TO OUR VOLUNTEERS, we extend our sincere appreciation for your behind-thescenes efforts. From check-in to scheduling support, your willingness to serve made the tournament run smoothly and provided a quality experience for everyone involved.
Events like the Midwest Hoop Fest are only possible because of the dedication of individuals who care deeply about youth sports. We are thankful for your role in helping deliver a positive, organized, and competitive experience for 3rd–8th grade boys and girls teams.
Thank you again for being part of the Midwest Hoop Fest community. We look forward to seeing you at future events and wish everyone continued success this season.
Sincerely,
Midwest Hoop Fest Tournament Committee
Rockford, Illinois
FORM MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PROGRAM, PLEASE SCAN THE QR CODE
1. Basketball Was Invented by a PE Teacher
FUN FACTS:
6. The NBA Was Founded in 1946
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.
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 modernday 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!
