HOMESCHOOL BASKETBALL NATIONALS INFO SHEET
🏀 2026 NCHBC HOMESCHOOL BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Welcome to the Official 2026 Nationals Information Hub! This page will be updated continuously as we approach tip-off. Please bookmark this page and check back frequently.
The 2026 “March to Springfield” has officially broken our all-time records! We are thrilled to welcome 414 teams to Springfield, MO!
NEW
The latest release
- March 6th- Now LIVE- Gym Map – CLICK HERE
- March 3rd, NOW LIVE: 3-Point Try-out Sign-ups are OPEN- CLICK HERE
🚨 CRITICAL DATES: THE “WHAT TO EXPECT” TIMELINE
To help your program plan for the week, here is our official release schedule:
- March 3rd, NOW LIVE: 3-Point Try-out Sign-ups are OPEN- CLICK HERE
- Monday, March 9th: Earliest Start Times Released (You will know the earliest possible time your age group will play on opening day).
- Tuesday, March 10th (7:00 PM CST): Official Selection Show & Division Divides Released for ALL Age Groups! 👉 Watch the NCHC Selection Shows Here
- Wednesday, March 11th – Friday, March 13th: Full Brackets Released! (Our goal is to have all brackets live by March 11th, with an absolute final guarantee of March 13th).
- Saturday, March 14th (11:59 PM CST): All-Region Teams & Regional MVP Winners Officially Released!
- Sunday, March 15th- 3 Point try-outs & Dunk Try-semi-finals (7 PM) at Mission University (formerly BBC)//Coaches Badge Pick up & District/Regional Player Award Pick up 4-9 PM or at DRURY Monday-Friday.
- Monday, March 16th, 7 PM at DRURY– Slam Dunk & 3 Point Finals along with All-Region Recognition & Photo Opportunity
- Friday, March 20th, 9 PM at DRURY– Girls & Boys 18u All-Region Games RETURN! Senior Send-off & Prayer
🟡 URGENT TEAM DEADLINES (ACTION REQUIRED) 🚨
📸 2026 NATIONALS PROGRAM: OVER 300 TEAMS ARE MISSING!
- HARD DEADLINE: Saturday, March 7th
- THE ISSUE: We are currently missing photos and rosters for over 300 teams. Do not be the team with a blank space in the Commemorative Program! * THE ACTION: You must upload your official Team Photo and Roster by the deadline. If your information is not submitted, your page will be left blank.
- NOT SURE IF YOU SUBMITTED? You can check if your team has been submitted in real-time! Just scroll to the very bottom of the roster submission page to see the live list.
📅 2026 EVENT DATES & LOCATIONS
- Main Tournament Games: March 16th – 20th, 2026
- Pre-Tournament Try-outs (3-Point & Dunk): Sunday, March 15th
- Location: Springfield, MO (Multiple Venues)
- Gym Addresses & Facility Restrictions: CLICK HERE
- Gym Map: CLICK HERE
🏆 SPECIAL EVENTS & AWARDS
MOVED to MONDAY, March 16th at DRURY
Slam Dunk & 3-Point Finals + Awards Ceremony!
- When: Monday, March 16th at 7:00 PM
- Where: Drury O’Reilly Center
- Details: Join us for the Finals of the Dunk and 3-Point contests! This will also serve as our official Award Recognition night and the pick-up location for Regional MVPs and All-Region Players.
- Try-Outs: Both try-outs are held on Sunday, March 15th. Dunk try-outs require a video submission to nchbchomeschoolnationals@gmail.com).
- Avery Mier (CHSM Crimson Knights)- Sullivan Award Presentation
👑 2026 Legacy Award Presentation: The Sullivan Award
During Monday night’s (March 16th) festivities, we will be presenting the highly prestigious Sullivan Award to Avery Mier (CHSM Crimson Knights)!
- What are the Legacy Awards? The Legacy Awards (which include the Sullivan, Moriah Jefferson, and Justin Jackson awards) are not “open” awards. They are reserved exclusively for returning National Players of the Year.
- The Eligibility Rule: To be eligible for the Sullivan Award, a player must have already won the Maravich Award (National POY) in a previous season.
- The 2026 Winner: Because Avery Mier won the 2025 Maravich Award and returned to play this season, she is the locked recipient of the 2026 Sullivan Award! (This follows the exact same path Lilly Williams took after her 2024 Maravich Award win). * Note: We will wait until after the 2026 Nationals conclude to see who, if anyone, earns the Maravich Award to join this elite group for 2027!
🌟 CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY FINALE: THE ALL-REGION GAMES ARE BACK!
Friday, March 20th at DRURY!
We are bringing the All-Region games BACK to Friday night! We have removed the late 9:00 PM game this year & most of the Friday Finale activities have been moved to Monday at 7 PM in order to provide the opportunity for the All-Region Game Return!
Immediately following the 8 PM Boys 18u Undisputed National Championship Game, stay in your seats for:
- Girls 18u All-Region Game
- Boys 18u All-Region Game
- The Senior Sendoff Prayer (Stay tuned for the official All-Region Team announcements!)
🛍️🔥 OFFICIAL NATIONALS MERCHANDISE (FINE DESIGNS)
DO NOT LEAVE SPRINGFIELD WITHOUT YOUR GEAR! Fine Designs will be on-site printing custom 2026 Nationals apparel all week long. You choose the color, the logo, and the placement! Find their booths at the following locations:
- Drury O’Reilly Center
- Evangel AGFinancial Arena
- The Fieldhouse
- Strafford Sportscenter
- Ozark High School
- Allison Sportstown
- The OC (Ozark Community Center)
📋 IMPORTANT LINKS & EVENT POLICIES
Essential Event Docs:
- 2026 NCHBC Nationals Program: COMING SOON
- Nationals Event Schedule 2026: COMING SOON
- Coaches Page – NCHBC 2026: [CLICK HERE]
- 2026 Facility Restrictions & Addresses: [CLICK HERE]
- B18u Recent History (since 2019) – Sweet 16 (Division 1): [CLICK HERE]
- Regional Results: Champions & Finishes NCHBC- [CLICK HERE]
Coaches Badges (Nationals 2026): We are excited to announce that we have coaches badges available (2 for each team!). While there is no gate fee at Nationals, we still want you to have these! Swing by to pick them up at BBC on Sunday, March 15th, from 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM, or at DRURY from Monday to Friday. Coaches are not required to wear them, but we love seeing you sport them throughout the week!
Conduct & Safety:
- Ejection Policy & NCHC Code of Conduct: [CLICK HERE]
- Designated Athletic Training Hubs: Trainers will be stationed at Drury O’Reilly Center (All Week), The Fieldhouse (All Week), and Evangel (Mon-Wed).
🚨 IMPORTANT: FAN SEATING & LIVESTREAM ALERT
We want to encourage incredible, high-energy atmospheres at every game, but we need everyone’s cooperation to maintain a fair and respectful environment for the players and coaches.
- The Golden Rule of Seating: Your team’s fans should sit BEHIND your team’s bench. While fans are permitted to sit elsewhere in the gym, they are NOT permitted to sit directly behind the opponent’s bench. The seats behind a team’s bench are 100% reserved for the fans of the team currently in action. We will do our best to have signage at the facilities reflecting this rule. Because the seats behind your bench are reserved for your team, we do ask all fans sit directly behind their bench.
- Drury O’Reilly Center Seating: For games at Drury, fans have the option to sit either behind your team’s bench or behind the basket closest to your team’s bench.
- We will do our best to have signage at the facilities reflecting this rule, but please share this expectation with your parents before arriving in Springfield!
🎥 OFFICIAL NCHC LIVESTREAM BROADCAST
Can’t make it to Springfield? We are bringing the action to you!
- The Broadcast Court: The Drury O’Reilly Center will be the exclusive home of the NCHC official broadcast livestream team.
- The Coverage: All livestream games from Drury will feature a full broadcast with 2-3 live commentators calling the action all week long!
- Fans: Please sit behind your bench at DRURY or behind the basket (nearest your team’s bench).
- Tune In: Share this link with grandparents, alumni, and fans back home so they don’t miss a minute of the Championship action:
💙 NCHBC LEGACY AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
We are now accepting nominations for our two most prestigious community awards!
✝️ The Owen Gray Heart of a Champion Award
- Nominations Deadline: Monday, March 16th by Midnight
- Details: This is awarded to a player or coach who exemplifies the love of Christ, deeply caring for their community and others above themselves. Named after Owen Gray, who, after being diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome, used his hardship to raise money and national awareness while loving those around him.
📣 2026 NCHBC Rich Lewis Blue Man Fan Award
- Nominations Deadline: Thursday, March 19th by Midnight
- Details: Voted upon by programs at Nationals that encounter a fan section exuding passion, inclusivity, positivity, creativity, and exuberance! Named in honor of the late Rich Lewis, the legendary MHEA Eagles fan who painted himself blue and focused entirely on positive fan interactions. Let’s celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship and honor his legacy!
🥈 SILVER BALL UPDATE (Same as 2025)
The same as last year- 1 Silver Ball per division this year.
How it Works: * Teams that lose in a Gold Ball game will automatically transition into the Silver Ball Final or Semi-Final.
- Important Note: Only the winner of the Silver Ball Finals will receive a physical Silver Ball!
- Teams that finish as Silver Runner-ups will be awarded a Silver Runner-up Trophy/Plaque
🇺🇸 Team USA: Nationals Roster Update
(March 3rd Update – 3:00 PM CST)
Team USA Nationals age groups are filling up FAST! The Early Bird Discount has expired, and spots are becoming very limited. Don’t wait until the final deadline if you plan on playing in Springfield!
🟡 ALMOST FULL (Very Few Spots Remain):
- Boys 18u
- Girls 14u
🟢 URGENT NEEDS (Spots Still Available):
- Girls 18u
- Girls 16u
- Boys 16u
- Boys 14u (Potentially)
- Boys 12u
- Boys 10u
- Girls 10u
👉 [LINK: TEAM USA REGISTRATION & INFO]
📊 HOW IT WORKS: THE ANATOMY OF A BRACKET
Wondering how the Bracketology Team seeds a 400+ team tournament? Our ultimate goal is to provide your players with fresh, exciting, and unique matchups rather than adhering to strict, perfect mathematical ranking.
The Division I / Division II Format (32-Team Blueprint) For our largest age groups (like Boys 18u, 16u, 14u, 12u, and Girls 18u), we use a 32-team bracket structure divided into FOUR Gold Ball Divisions: 8A, 7A, 6A, and 5A.
- The Split: The 16 teams that win their opening game move to Division I. The 16 teams that lose their opening game move to Division II.
- Gold Ball Wednesday: The Championship games for all four brackets (8A, 7A, 6A, 5A) are played on Wednesday.
- The Showdown Series: The four Wednesday winners advance to the ultimate Thursday showdown (8A Champion vs. 5A Champion, etc.) to compete for the Undisputed National Championship on Friday!
👉 Want to see the exact formula we use to seed teams, including the “Loss to the Champion” rule? [CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL BRACKETOLOGY BREAKDOWN]
🙏 PREGAME SCRIPTURE & PRAYER
Head coaches will lead a prayer and scripture reading at center court before tip-off.
MONDAY
Colossians 3:23 (KJV)
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
TUESDAY
1 Corinthians 9:24 (KJV)
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”
WEDNESDAY
2 Timothy 2:5 (KJV)
“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.”
THURSDAY
Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”
FRIDAY
Proverbs 27:17 (KJV)
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
🏀 PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
[LINK: VIEW THE 2026 TEAM LIST] This list features over 1,200 homeschool basektball teams at our annual invitational events!
We are excited to welcome a record 414 teams representing the following programs from across the country:
Arizona: EVAC.
Arkansas: Faulkner County Falcons, Fort Smith Patriots, Little Rock Flames, NEACHE Eagles, NWA Hornets, Revelation Lions, Saline County Warriors.
Hawaii: Oahu Kraken.
Illinois: HSRC Patriots, Illinois CRU.
Indiana: Benton Bucks, Columbus Hawks, Evansville Racers, Fort Wayne Hawks, Indy Northwest Warriors, Indy Wildcats, KASH Eagles, Noble Whitley Warriors, Northside Lions.
Kansas: Cornerstone Saints, KC Metro Mavericks, Legacy Prep Kings, Manhattan CHIEF Thunder, Reno County Sabres, Wichita Defenders, Wichita Warriors.
Kentucky: Bluegrass Blazers, LKY Saints.
Louisiana: CHA Northeast Flame, Cornerstone Eagles, PCA Paladins, Shreveport FORCE, SWLA Knights.
Michigan: Butternut, CHAP Chariots, CHASE Conquerors, HEA Firebirds, Holland Wave Homeschool Basketball, Lapeer Lakers, Shoreline Breakers, West Michigan Hornets.
Minnesota: North Metro Blazers, South Metro Huskies.
Missouri: KC East Lions, Lighthouse Chargers, Marshfield CIA, Mid Missouri Mavericks, Missouri Warriors, North Missouri Knights, RUSH, St. Louis Blue Knights.
Montana: Flathead Valley Crusaders.
Nebraska: Lincoln Eagles, SE Nebraska Dragonflies.
Ohio: Cincinnati Trailblazers, Marion Hawks, Miami Valley Saints.
Oklahoma: Aspire Trailblazers, NOAH Jaguars, OK Flame, OKC Knights, Tulsa CHEF Arrows.
Tennessee: MHEA Eagles, Tennessee HEAT, Upper Cumberland RAMS.
Texas: Aggieland Panthers, Austin Royals, CHSA Wolverines, CHSM Crimson Knights, Dallas HSAA, Dallas Thunder, DasCHE Spartans, FBCHA Eagles, JCSA Lions, Lake Houston Conquerors (LHC), New Way Eagles, PT Warriors, Red River Rattlers, San Antonio Patriots, San Marcos Panthers, STX Saints, Texas Truth, THESA Riders, Tyler HEAT, Victoria Cobras.
Virginia: HHBA Lightning.
Wisconsin: Monroe County Warriors, WCHSA Royal Eagles.
📱 FOLLOW THE ACTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Don’t miss a single highlight, update, or bracket release! Follow us here:
🏀 GAME DAY OPERATIONS & RULES
👉 Full Game Rules: [Game Info NCHC]
HOME TEAM (Top of Bracket)
- Uniform: Light/White
- Provides: Game Ball
- Responsibility: OFFICIAL SCOREBOOK
AWAY TEAM (Bottom of Bracket)
- Uniform: Dark
- Responsibility: OFFICIAL CLOCK OPERATOR
- Duty: Leads pregame center-court prayer.
GAME LENGTH & OT
- Warm Up: 6 Minutes (Begins immediately after previous game)
- 10u/12u/14u: 6-min Qtrs | 3-min OT
- 16u: 7-min Qtrs | 3-min OT
- 18u: 8-min Qtrs | 4-min OT
- Halftime: 4 Minutes (Fans/Children may NOT shoot during halftime).
EQUIPMENT & RULES
- Ball Size: Boys 12u-18u (29.5) | Boys 10u & All Girls (28.5)
- Goals: All age groups play on 10-foot goals.
- Timeouts: 5 per game (3 Full, 2 :30s)
- Mercy Rule: Running clock if lead is >30 in 4th Qtr.
- Pressing: 12u (Permitted until +20 lead) | 10u (Permitted until +15 lead).
👉 Full Game Rules: [Game Info NCHC]
⚖️ TIE-BREAKER RULES (For Pool Play)
Sequential tie-break rules, in order, to be used after round-robin play:
- Head-to-Head results (2-team tie at any point) (If at any point this results in a 2-way tie, refer to point #1 again)
- Point Differential (Max +20 or -20 per game)
- Least points allowed
- Points scored
- Random Chance (Conducted at NCHC H.Q.) Note: If “Team USA” is in your pool, they advance as the bottom seed and cannot be included in a tie. Games against them still count.
⚠️ CRITICAL POLICIES & CONDUCT
🛑 THE “MUST PLAY” POLICY ($100 FINE) All teams are contractually obligated to play all bracketed games (including consolation). Forfeits result in a $100.00 Penalty Per Game and risk suspension.
📊 MANDATORY SCORE REPORTING Winning & losing coaches must text scores IMMEDIATELY after the game.
- Text Number: 1 (417) 203-7447
- Format: [Region] [Age/Div] [Pool, Division, etc.] [Winner Score vs Loser Score]
- Example: Midwest 18uB Pool A, Team A 55 – Team B 50
👮 COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL Only Head Coaches or ADs are permitted to approach the Director’s table. Parents must use the online Fan Feedback Form, located on the Home Tab of each bracket.
🚫 ZERO TOLERANCE CONDUCT POLICY
- Section I (Ejection): Violator must leave the building for the remainder of the game.
- Section II (Refusal/Severe): If law enforcement is called or conduct is egregious, the violator is barred from the remainder of the event and the Organization risks a 1-year suspension.
👕 DISTRICT MERCH: Fine Designs will be providing merchandise on-site (see complete list ABOVE!)
📅 SAVE THE DATE: 2026-27 SEASON
2027 Basketball Regionals
- Midwest (IN): Feb 24–26, 2027
- Big South (TX): Feb 25–27, 2027
- Heartland (KS): Feb 25–27, 2027
2027 National Championships
-
Springfield, MO: March 15–19, 2027
2026 🏐 VOLLEYBALL Nationals:
- 2026 DATES: October 15th-17th, 2026 Overland Park, KS 🏐
🏐Advent Health Sports Park at Bluhawk
16201 Shawnee Drive, Overland Park, KS 66223
ON-SITE CONTACTS
- Tournament Directors: Caleb Allen, Zachary Stargell, Robert Flatt, Jeremy Caldwell, & Scott Bagg (Coaches/ADs Only)
- Emergencies & Pre-Event Needs Contact: nchcstaff@nchclive.com
(c) 1991-2026 National Christian Homeschool Championships, LLC. The NCHC operates as a Private Voluntary Association. Attendance is an Invitational Privilege. By entering the facility, all attendees agree to abide by the Association Bylaws, including the Dispute Resolution Policy and Zero Tolerance Conduct Policy.
🤝 THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS
Please support the organizations that make this event possible!
- Deer Creek Camp: A gospel-centered Christian camp in the Texas Hill Country offering The Rock Basketball Camp, EPIC adventure camp, and BRAVE adaptive camp. Visit www.deercreekcamp.com.
- 323 Sports: The exclusive uniform sponsor of the NCHC! Supplying athletic apparel and equipment nationwide. Visit 323sports.com.
- Evangel University: Affordable, flexible, Christian education right here in Springfield! Offering dual enrollment for only $65 per credit hour. Learn more at evangel.edu/dual.
- Culver’s: Proud sponsor of the NCHC!
- Springfield Area Guide: Welcome to Springfield! Check out local coupons at www.springfieldmo.org/coupons.
- Real Time Pain Relief (RTPR): An original sponsor! Infused with nature’s ingredients to keep you playing like a champion. Save 20% with Promo Code NEW20 at RealTimePainRelief.com.
- The Springfield Sports Commission works to attract, create, and support sporting events that bring athletes and visitors to Springfield, Missouri. By partnering with local venues, community organizations, and national event organizers, the Commission helps position Springfield as a premier destination for amateur and youth sports. These events generate significant economic impact while strengthening the region’s vibrant sports community.