We have operated a version of Winter City League in Palo Alto every year since 1984, and it is the soul of what 4CITY is today. It was created so elementary and middle-school players could play organized basketball with and against friends while being trained for success at the high school level. Over 15,000 area kids, some now in their 50's, have played in our league!
400 players participate in Winter City League each season—coached by volunteer parents with help and mentoring from professional 4CITY coaches. Games are played in real gyms with certified high school referees.
There are six leagues: 3rd/4th, 5th/6th, and 7th/8th grades with separate boys and girls divisions. During the "regular" season, an All-Star team is formed in each division that goes on to compete in regional tournaments in March against teams from other cities and clubs.
4CITY requires all athletes, coaches, parents and referees who participate in City League to adhere to the 4C Philosophy.
*registration opens sept 20 for returning families and sept 22 for new families
2023-24 Season
We are excited for another season of Winter City League (formerly named Divisional League) for 3rd-8th grade boys and girls!
The season runs from November 4th through February 11th. All teams have mandatory practices on Saturdays and optional practices one weeknight. All games are on Sundays, starting December 3rd and ending with a City Championship tournament on February 9th-11th.
Please note:
- There are no practices Thanksgiving week and no games or practices from December 18th - January 2nd.
- Players must attend mandatory evaluation clinics on November 5th, or email parents@4city.us to request a make-up evaluation on Monday, November 6th.
- Players will be drafted to their teams by November 8th.
See all the dates and details below. We are looking forward to another fun-filled and competitive season of community youth basketball!
All teams will have a Saturday practice of 90 minutes each week. These practices consist of skill development with professional coaches, plus team practices. These practices are MANDATORY and coaches may withhold playing time in games for unexcused absences.
Teams will also have a 60-minute practice one weeknight. These practices are optional but strongly encouraged as it makes a big difference in skill development for players to have a second practice every week.
You will not know your exact practice times and locations until teams are formed on November 7th—at which point you will get your practice and game schedule for the remainder of the season through February. In the mean time, to assist with your planning, see below for the practice windows for each division:
Weeknights (optional):
3rd/4th Boys: Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday at 7 pm
5th/6th Boys: Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday at 7 pm
7th/8th Boys: Monday or Tuesday at 8 pm
3rd/4th Girls: Thursday at 7 pm
5th/6th Girls: Thursday at 7 pm
7th/8th Girls: Thursday at 8 pm
Saturdays
3rd/4th Boys: 10:30, noon, or 1:30 pm
5th/6th Boys: 10:30, noon, or 1:30 pm
7th/8th Boys: 3:00 pm or 4:30 pm
3rd/4th Girls: 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm or 5:45 pm
5th/6th Girls: 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm or 5:45 pm
7th/8th Girls: 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm or 5:45 pm
REGISTRATION DATES:
- Return Family Registration (Existing 4CITY/PANJB families only): Opens Wednesday, September 20th @ 9 am
- Friends Registration (with referral only): Opens Thursday, September 21st @ 9 am
- Public Registration: Opens Friday, September 22nd @ 9 am
FEES: $695
These fees cover all gyms, referees, scorekeepers, and professional coaching expenses for four weeks of pre-season clinics, twelve weeks of practice, eight weeks of games, and the end-of-season tournament. Players will receive a reversible practice shirt to keep.
FINANCIAL AID
Full and half scholarships are available on a financial need basis—please email treasurer@4city.us to apply.
City League will run for fourteen weeks from November 4th - February 11th. Here are the important dates.
Pre-season Evaluation Clinics: Saturday November 4th and Sunday November 5th. Times for each division TBD (check back here).
Saturday Team Practices:
- November 11th
- November 18th
- November 27th (optional Sunday practice game)
- December 2nd
- December 9th
- December 16th
- No practices from December 17th through January 1st
- January 6th
- January 13th
- January 20th
- January 27th
- February 3rd
Sunday Games:
- December 3rd
- December 10th
- December 17th
- January 7th
- January 14th
- January 21st
- January 28th
- February 4th
Girls End-of-Season Tournament:
- Saturday, February 3rd
- Sunday, February 4th
Boys End-of-Season Tournament:
- Saturday, February 10th
- Sunday, February 11th
Weeknight Practices:
These optional practices will be one night per week (varies for each team) starting on the week of November 13th and going through the week of February 5th. There will be no weeknight practices the week of Thanksgiving or the weeks of December 19th and 26th.
Evaluation clinics will be held on Saturday November 4th and Sunday November 5th. It is requested that players attend their scheduled sessions on both days or request a make-up session by emailing parents@4city.us. All registrants will be notified by email with the time and location of their specific evaluations clinics.
Players will be assigned to teams (8-10 players) in each of our divisions: 3rd/4th, 5th/6th and 7th/8th, with separate leagues for boys and girls. Each team will have a parent head coach and assistant coach, plus a professional “master coach” for their age group. Coaches will "draft" players after the evaluation clinics with the goal of creating fair and balanced teams. Players will be assigned their teams by November 8th.
Please note that we will be following all county and state COVID guidelines, which currently do NOT require players, coaches, refs and fans to be masked when indoors. As much as possible we will keep gym doors open for optimal airflow. We will not be recommending that any participants (players, fans, coaches, refs) wear masks unless county guidelines change.
All divisional games and practices will be held at one of the following Palo Alto gyms:
- JLS Middle School
- Fletcher Middle School
- Palo Alto High School
- Greene Middle School
- Gunn High School
All evaluations will be on Sunday, November 5th at Paly High School.
Skills evaluations for all Winter League players is mandatory, and critical for making balanced teams and a fun season for all. And we’ve decided to make it a big party, with players encouraged to stick around after their sessions for delicious food from the Oaxacan Kitchen taco truck and a chance to meet the coaches and other 4CITY families. Parents are encouraged to join for the food as well. (Meal tickets cost $10 per kid and $15 per adult and can be purchased at check in).
Please arrive 20 minutes before your evaluation time to check in, receive your jersey, and purchase meal tickets.
Evaluation times by age group:*
All girls: noon - 1:30 pm (food at 1:45)
3rd/4th grade boys: 2:00 - 3:30 pm (food at 3:45)
5th/6th grade boys: 3:30 - 5:00 pm (food at 5:45)
7th/8th grade boys: 5:00 - 6:30 pm (food at 6:45)
*If you cannot make your session you may NOT attend a different session. Instead email parents@4city.us to reserve a makeup evaluation slot on Monday, November 5th.