Winter Youth Basketball in Blount County: Registration Runs Through October 30
If you've got a kid eyeing the basketball courts this winter, Blount County Parks & Rec registration is open right now, and it runs through October 30, 2026. It's first come, first served until a league fills, so this isn't a get to it later deadline.
There are two leagues, and they split by age in a way that actually makes sense.
Basketball for Fun (age 5): This is a low key, non competitive introduction for boys and girls who are five. It meets for one hour on Saturday mornings, 9 to 10, for six weeks at the Everett Recreation Center. The season runs December 5, 12, and 19, then January 9, 16, and 23. Cost is $78 and that includes a game jersey. Team pictures are optional for an extra $18, or $20 if you wait until picture day.
Youth Basketball (ages 6-16): This is the step up, with a real season of seven Saturday games. Kids are placed on teams through a draft, they practice about once a week starting a few weeks before the games, and every kid plays in every game, which I love. Through age 12 the teams are all girls or all boys, and ages 13 through 16 play co ed. Games are at the Everett and Springbrook recreation centers and some area schools. The season tentatively starts January 9, 2027 and runs about seven weeks. Same $78, and that includes the jersey.
A few details worth knowing before you sign up:
- Register online at parksrec.com. It's first come, first served, so the popular age groups can fill up before the October 30 cutoff.
- Late registration is $5 extra and only if a spot is open.
- Coaches are volunteer parents, and the rec commission runs background checks on all of them.
- The picture add on is optional. You can pass and nobody minds.
If you're between Maryville and Alcoa, both recreation centers are easy to reach, and this is run by the same Blount County Parks & Rec team behind the local youth soccer leagues. For the online registration link and league schedules, head to parksrec.com and look for Youth Basketball.