The SYA Spring AAU Basketball Program offers dedicated young athletes the opportunity to continue developing their skills beyond the winter season in a competitive environment. This select program is designed for experienced players ready to take their game to the next level while focusing on long-term development.
While the intensity and competitiveness of each team will vary based on available talent and coaching style, this program emphasizes player development over pursuing the high-volume tournament circuits typical of national elite AAU programs. Our goal is to help athletes grow their skills, basketball IQ, and love of the game in a challenging but supportive setting. Higher expectations will be put on all players across both effort and behaviors. Players will learn what it means to be held accountable for their actions with a heavy emphasis put on positive engagements with teammates, coaches, opposing teams, and officials. Our goal is to prepare youth basketball players for competition at the high school level.
This program requires significant basketball experience and a strong commitment to team development. The majority of our athletes who play on our AAU teams have previously played either AAU or at the travel / select level. Teams will be competing against other highly competitive teams that have experience playing basketball at a fast-paced and high-intensity level. Coaches will demand more out of their players in terms of dedication, attitude, coachability, work ethic, and overall commitment. Each coach will communicate specific expectations regarding game schedules, travel requirements, and financial obligations before registration closes.
Spring season begins mid-March.
Spring season ends early June
Spring season practices begin in mid March.
Spring season teams practice 2x-3x weekly on weekdays, between the hours of 5:30-9pm, with occasional weekend practices in Centreville area gyms.
Spring games start on weekends (with an occasional weekday game) in late March and conclude in June.
Local tournaments in Northern Virginia with potential travel to regional events, depending on age group and team.
Yes. For Spring they begin January 27th and run through February 15th (attendance required for eligibility).
Attendance at skill evaluations is mandatory for all players from 5th grade and up, with a make-up night available.
SPRING 2026 Tryout Dates:
| Age Group | Dates | Location(s) | Times |
| 4th Grade Boys | Thursday 2/19 and and Saturday 2/21 | Liberty MS (2/19) and Centre Ridge ES (2/21) | 5:30-7:30 PM (2/19) and 9:00-11:00 AM (2/21) |
| 5th Grade Boys | Sunday 2/1 and Monday 2/2 | Centreville HS (2/1) and Deer Park ES (2/2) | 2:00-4:00 PM (2/1) and 7:30-9:00 PM (2/2) |
| 5th Grade Girls | Monday 2/9 and Sunday 2/15 | Deer Park ES | 7:30- 9:00 PM (2/9) and 9:00-11:00 AM (2/15) |
| 6th Grade Boys | Tuesday 2/10 and Saturday 2/14 | Stone MS (2/10) and Deer Park ES (2/14) | 6:00-8:00 PM (2/10) and 4:00-6:00 PM (2/14) |
| 6th Grade Girls | Tuesday 1/27 and Sunday 2/3 | Stone MS (1/27) and Centre Ridge ES (2/3) | 6:00-8:00 PM (1/27) and 7:30-9:00 PM (2/3) |
| 7th Grade Boys | Monday 2/2 and Saturday 2/7 | Bull Run ES (2/2) and Centre Ridge ES (2/7) | 7:30-9:00 PM (2/2) and 9:30-11:00 AM (2/7) |
| 7th Grade Girls | Saturday 1/31 and Tuesday 2/3 | Centre Ridge ES | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (1/31) and 6:00-7:30 PM (2/3) |
No, the program is selective, and only a limited number of players are chosen based on their performance at tryouts. Maximum of 12 players per team.
No.
| Season | Registration opens with $15 discount | Regular Registration Fee | Registration Late Fee $25 | Registration Wait List | Season Registration Closes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FALL | May | June | July | Aug 1-14 | Aug 15 |
| WINTER | August | September/October | November | Dec 1-14 | Dec 15 |
| SPRING | November | December/January | February | Mar 1-14 | Mar 15 |
| SUMMER | March | April | May | June 1-14 | June 15 |
Approximately two weeks before the start of the season.
We currently offer a limited number of grade level teams. Future teams will depend on coach availability.
Players can play up in higher age groups if the coach deems them ready.
Previous basketball experience at a competitive level is expected as coaches will be primarily looking for players who have this experience. All players must attend a tryout to be considered for team placement.
Teams are composed of players residing within the following high school boundaries/pyramids (as determined by their elementary and middle school attendance):
● Centreville High School
● Chantilly High School
● Westfield High School
● Fairfax High School
● Herndon High School
Each team may request up to four players from outside these high school pyramid boundaries as approved by the SYA Basketball commissioner.
Fairfax County Use Fee: $10.00 per player
Out-of-County Charge: $50.00 per player
Fees are $400-$500 for each AAU player and will be communicated when an invitation is extended to join the team. Many tournaments charge door fees to attend games with the average cost per weekend ~$25.
Acceptable Payments Options
The system accepts Visa or MasterCard & online checks (your registration is not FINAL until your check payment is received). You may pay your registration fees, summer skills camp fees, and make donations during online registration. You may register multiple players online as well and receive a multiple player discount.
Players must provide their own basketball shoes.
No.
Dick’s Sporting Goods or Amazon is recommended.
A basketball jersey and shorts are provided by SYA.
Should you have specific questions regarding travel basketball, please refer to the appropriate person below.
| Position | Name |
| AAU Commissioner | Justin Leiser |
For other questions: [email protected]
Inclement weather line: 703.324.5264
If you have any questions about AAU Basketball, you can email AAU Coaches directly.
Coaches listed below are the AAU coaches. Coaches for a second team in each age group will be posted after AAU tryouts.
Spring 2026 Coaches:
| GIRLS | |
| Grade | Coach |
| Girls 5th Grade | Ayalew “AB” Mehari |
| Girls 6th Grade | Megan Gomeiz & Emily Cannon |
| Girls 7th Grade | Justin Leiser |
| BOYS | |
| Grade | Coach |
| Boys 4th Grade | Brad Bugher |
| Boys 5th Grade | Chris Neofotis |
| Boys 6th Grade | Michael Stutler |
| Boys 7th Grade | Matt Wakefield |
SYA encourages parents and high school players to volunteer as referees or team staff.
Community and business sponsors help support field maintenance, equipment upgrades, and overall league operations.
Please check on FIELD or GYM status if it has rained or snowed in the last 48 hours by using one or all of the following methods
Decisions on FIELD and GYM status are generally made by 3:30pm each day Monday-Friday and by 7am on Saturday and Sunday
Ultimately, you should be notified by your coach about decisions. If you have not been notified by your coach, you should assume that play is on
Field/Gym Status info can be obtained by:
Consider signing up for Fairfax Alerts!
This Fairfax County free public service will alert coaches and parents to school closings due to weather or other emergency situations via e-mail or cell phone.
Teams will be formed based on the grades that players are in for such season; there are very limited age restrictions, but generally teams will be formed based on what grade the player is in for that season. Summer league, players will play in their “rising grade”, (the grade in which the student will attend at school the upcoming school year).
Yes. SYA’s mission is to develop Centreville/Clifton/Fairfax area basketball players. Therefore SYA will only allow “out-of-zip” players to participate on our teams on a case by case basis with the approval of the SYA Travel Commissioner.
All players interested in trying out for one of our AAU basketball teams need to register for Summer AAU basketball tryouts. Once evaluations are completed, selected players will be sent instructions on how to complete the AAU registration. Register for AAU tryouts.
Each team will determine if they plan to play in any tournaments that involve traveling and overnight stay. Please contact the coach for your child’s team to understand travel plans.
Coaches will execute well planned and coordinated practices that focus on both individual skill building as well as team progression. Practices will be intense and involve high levels of efforts from all players. Players will develop their game by building confidence in a low pressure but high intensity competitive activities including scrimmages. Coaches will also put a heavy emphasis on the non basketball related expectations. Hustling on and off the court, listening to all coach instructions even when not being talked to directly, supporting and encouraging teammates, as well as thanking coaches after each practice and officials after each game are examples of these focus areas.
