YOUTH BASKETBALL TEAMS
YOUTH BASKETBALL TEAMS
EVALUATIONS
AUGUST 13-15
OCTOBER 1-8
Our fall-winter season youth basketball teams offer a fantastic opportunity for athletes in grades 3-12 to enhance their skills and passion for the sport. Serving Olathe, Overland Park, KCK, Lenexa, Spring Hill, Shawnee, Leawood, Gardner, Paola, Baldwin and other nearby areas, our programs emphasize athletic development, teamwork, discipline, and community. We focus on nurturing talent and building strong, competitive teams that excel on and off the court. Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, our programs cater to all levels. Join us and become part of a dedicated basketball team committed to excellence and personal growth.
We start by assessing your current skills and understanding of the game, striving to place your child on a team that matches their age and skill level. Our coaches work closely with you, providing support and encouragement every step of the way.
In addition to skill development, we emphasize sportsmanship, leadership, and respect. We believe in holistic development, including character building and spiritual growth from a biblical perspective. Our program strives to instill values such as integrity, perseverance, and compassion, helping young athletes grow into well-rounded individuals. By integrating biblical principles, we guide players in their spiritual journey, fostering a deeper understanding of faith and its application in daily life.
By joining our program, you become part of a community that values excellence, growth, and the joy of playing basketball. Our goal is to create a positive and supportive atmosphere where young athletes can excel and reach their full potential. Experience the thrill of being part of a team dedicated to your development both on and off the court.
Our 9-12 Grade Boys Basketball program for the fall/winter season presents a wonderful opportunity for young athletes to advance their basketball skills and foster teamwork. Below are the key details for the upcoming season.
Program Focus
Skill & IQ Development
Team Cohesiveness
Season Duration
Start Date: August 19
End Date: November 3
Practice Schedule
Number of Practices per Week: 2
Number of Practices per Season: 20-25
Duration of Each Practice: 90 minutes
Days:
Mondays & Wednesdays
OR
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Note: Other days may be utilized if necessary
Time Range: 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM (Exact days and times TBD)
Teams will have consistent days and times
Competitions
Number of Tournaments per Season: 4
Number of Games per Season: 12-15
Practice Locations
LTD Training Center
19700 W. 159th Street
Olathe, KS
Gardner-Edgerton School District
Gardner, KS
Tournaments
Tentative Schedule
September 7-8, Shawnee, KS
September 21-22, Shawnee, KS. October 12-13, Kansas City, MO
October 26-27, Kansas City, MO
9-12 GRADE BOYS & GIRLS
AUGUST 19 - NOVEMBER 3
7-8 GRADE BOYS
AUGUST 19 - DECEMBER 22
Our 7th/8th Grade Boys Basketball program for the Winter 1 season offers an excellent opportunity for young athletes to enhance their basketball skills and team cohesion. Here are the key details for the upcoming season.
Program Focus
Skill & IQ Development
Team Cohesiveness
Season Duration
Start Date: August 19
End Date: December 22
Practice Schedule
Number of Practices per Week: 2
Number of Practices per Season: 30-35
Duration of Each Practice: 90 minutes
Days:
Mondays & Wednesdays
OR
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Note: Other days may be utilized if necessary
Time Range: 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM (Exact days and times TBD)
Teams will have consistent days and times
Competitions
Number of Tournaments per Season: 7
Number of Games per Season: 20-25
Practice Locations
LTD Training Center
19700 W. 159th Street
Olathe, KS
Gardner-Edgerton School District
Gardner, KS
Tournaments
Tentative Schedule
September 7-8, Shawnee, KS
September 21-22, Shawnee, KS. October 12-13, Kansas City, MO
October 26-27, Kansas City, MO
November 9-10, Shawnee, KS
November 23-24, Shawnee, KS
December 7-8, Shawnee, KS
7-8 grade boys who do not have the opportunity to play for their schools or get cut from their school teams will have the opportunity to continue in the program during the Winter 2 season.
EVALUATIONS AUGUST 13-15
SIGN UP TODAY
7-8 GRADE GIRLS
JANUARY 1 - MARCH 3
Get ready for an exciting new season, middle school girls! Our teams are gearing up for the Winter 2 season, starting January 2025, and we can't wait to see you hit the court. This season promises to be packed with fun, friendship, and fantastic basketball. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, our program is designed to help you grow your skills, work as a team, and have a blast. With energetic practices, thrilling games, and awesome coaches, you'll find yourself improving both on and off the court. Join us and be part of a community that celebrates every victory, learns from every challenge, and always plays with heart. Let's make this season unforgettable!
EVALUATIONS FOR 7-8 GRADE GIRLS SEASON WILL BE IN MID-DECEMBER
3-6 GRADE BOYS & GIRLS
NOVEMBER 1 - MARCH 1
Attention boys and girls in grades 3-6! Get ready for an action-packed basketball season running from November 1 to March 1. Our program is designed to ignite your passion for the game and help you build awesome skills while making new friends. Early October evaluations will ensure you’re placed on the perfect team to match your abilities and help you grow. With fun-filled practices, exciting games, and supportive coaches, you’ll improve your game and learn the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. Whether you’re new to basketball or have been playing for a while, this season is all about having fun, learning, and playing with heart. Join us and let’s make this an unforgettable experience on and off the court!
EVALUATIONS
OCT. 1, 2, 3, 7 & 8
SPRING/SUMMER 2025
THE OPPORTUNITY
Competitive teams for athletes ages 13 -17 that are selected to play a combination of local, regional, and national high-level exposure sports tournaments. Teams compete within the Prep Hoops Circuit and Recruit Look Circuit offering exposure to college recruiters from all levels.
THE FOCUS
Intensive player skill, character & basketball IQ development program along with high-level regional and national exposure for athletes looking to play at the next level.
THE COMMITMENT
Season runs late March to late July. Teams will practice 2x per week for 2 hours. Teams will have a total of 35-40 practices per season and compete in approximately 35 games.
*Some out of town travel is involved.
WHY WE USE EVALUATIONS INSTEAD OF TRYOUTS
At Livin' the Dream, we believe in maximizing each athlete's potential. That's why we opt for regular evaluations instead of traditional tryouts. Traditional tryouts often focus solely on competing for a spot on a specific team, which can be stressful and limiting. In contrast, our evaluations provide a comprehensive assessment of each athlete's strengths and areas for improvement.
Through these evaluations, we gain a deeper understanding of an athlete's skill set, allowing us to place them on a team or program where they can truly thrive. This personalized approach ensures that every player is given the opportunity to grow, develop, and excel in a supportive and challenging environment. By focusing on individual development, we help our athletes reach their full potential, both on and off the court.
Join us at Livin' the Dream and experience the difference that evaluations can make in your athletic journey. We are committed to fostering a love for the game while promoting continuous growth and improvement for all our players.
Why LTD?
For over 23 years, LTD has positively influenced thousands of athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators through the platform of basketball. Our organization has conducted basketball camps and competed against professional teams in seven different countries, providing our players with international exposure and development opportunities. Many of our athletes have progressed to play at higher levels, demonstrating the effectiveness of our training programs.
In the United States and abroad, LTD has established competitive youth teams and high-profile leagues, fostering talent and promoting excellence in basketball. Our commitment extends beyond the game; we use basketball as a means to develop goodwill and lead individuals to discover God's purpose for their lives.
At LTD, we believe every individual is born with a unique dream planted by God. Through basketball, we aim to help people realize their potential and understand their purpose. Our mission is to ensure that our players not only excel in the sport but also grow in their faith and character. We believe that a true encounter with Jesus brings clarity and purpose, helping individuals to understand and fulfill their God-given dreams.
What our athletes and familes are saying…
“Love their message and the temperament of the coaching staff! True leaders of young men!” - BOB
“We love LTD! Our kids have been very happy! Great ministry, mission, and basketball.🏀” - STACEY
“LTD is a phenomenal organization! They are player development focused. They meet your child where they are at in their basketball journey and focus on making them the best version of themself both on and off the court!” - NATHAN
“We've had a great experience at LTD. Great coaches, great management, great approach to youth basketball for all levels.” - SHONDA
About Our Founder and CEO, Brad Mann
Brad Mann is the visionary founder of Livin' The Dream, Inc. With a rich history in basketball, Brad has played at all levels of competition. In high school, he was a four-year Varsity letter winner and a McDonald's All-American nominee, setting school records in points, rebounds, and blocks. He remains the Kansas all-time leader in career rebounds. Collegiately, Brad played NCAA Division I basketball at the University of Missouri-Kansas City for three years before transferring to Missouri Southern State University. There, he helped lead his team to the NCAA Division II Final Four and the best record in NCAA Division II.
After college, Brad toured internationally with Athletes In Action, competing against top-level professionals. He later signed contracts to play professional basketball for the Fargo Beez and the Salina Rattlers of the International Basketball Association (IBA).
Brad is a USA Certified Youth Basketball Coach and an ordained minister. He served on the pastoral staff at Westside Family Church for over 10 years, overseeing a satellite location of over 1,000 people and managing the WFC Prison Ministry. Brad holds a degree in Communications and oversees the day-to-day operations of Livin' The Dream. His comprehensive background in both basketball and ministry uniquely positions him to lead LTD in its mission to use the game of basketball to inspire and transform lives.
