UPDATE AS OF MARCH 9: The playoff schedules are now posted. You can access them by clicking here

We have tried to address the many requests we received in advance of our scheduling the playoffs. Please do not request any changes as we cannot grant any further requests.

The Spring Super League will run from April 5 to June 18. It will have leagues for boys and girls from 4th Grade through High School Varsity. It will be comprised of an 8 game schedule with games being played Sundays through Thursdays at Island Garden, SUNY Old Westbury, Chaminade and possibly other sites in Nassau County.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT:  If you register and pay in full by March 9, we will extend a discount of $150.00 off the team fee.

Men's Basketball is one of the most popular recreational sports in the country today. The AAU Men's Basketball League that is played at Island Garden has been benefiting from that interest and has been flourishing for the past several years. Based on that growth as well as the quality of the league, the AAU National Office has granted New York Metropolitan AAU the right to host a new event entitled the AAU Men's Basketball East Coast National Championship. The tournament will be held from March 26 to March 28, 2010 at the Island Garden Basketball Arena in West Hempstead, New York. The AAU will be assisting in recruiting teams from throughout the Northeast. The Nassau County Industrial Development Agency will also be assisting us in locating hotels and identifying points of interest in the area during the off hours. Our goal will be to attract teams made up of players who enjoy playing basketball as a recreational and fitness activity. The tournament will be structured as a three game guarantee that will have two games in pool play and the third as the first round of the playoffs. Teams can choose to play Friday evening and Saturday or just Saturday. The playoff rounds will be played on Sunday. AAU Championship medals and sweatshirts will be awarded.

This event will be open to all men's adult teams. We will register your team with AAU in order to meet the eligibility and insurance requirements.

For further information, contact Jim Fox or Ken Feeley at 516-292-4956 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 

For the 10th year, Tim Capstraw will be directing a Girls Basketball Camp this summer at the Island Garden. Tim promises an outstanding staff, excellent instruction, and a whole lot of fun. Two great weeks: July 12-16 and August 16-20. Discounts available.

Register now for our great spring programs!

Future Hoops

LIL Developmental League

Spring League

LIL Tournaments

Our very popular LIGHTNING DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM is designed for players who either are not interested in our travel program or not yet ready to play at that level. Each team meets once each week at Island Garden and works under the direction of three of our top coaches. It has proven over the last ten years to be very well received by both players and parents.

For more details ........

Our program for our youngest players resumes on March 2 and will continue for six consecutive weeks. The program focuses on training the basic fundamentals to players ages 5-8. We use smaller balls, lower baskets and an experienced instructor. Every child has a ball in his or her hands for virtually the entire session. The training is provided in a fun-filled and healthy environment. This program has been in existence for ten years.

The fee is $165.00 for all the sessions or $28.00 for a single session.

Click here to register

Future Hoops meets every Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:45 PM. For further information, please call Rosemary at 516-292-4956 or 516-351-6640

As previously announced, LI Lightning's Suffolk division has moved under
the direction of Rob Pavinelli, formerly of St. Dominc's High School.

Tryouts for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade LI Lightning - Suffolk teams will
be held on Wednesday, March 10th from 6 -10 pm at Northport Middle
School, 11 Middleville Rd, Northport, NY  11768.

Times are as follows: 9th grade: 6-7:30 pm, 10th grade: 7:30-8:45 pm, 11th
grade: 8:45-10:00 pm.

Anyone needing more information or unable to make this date, please
contact Rob Pavinelli at 631-521-5168.

KEEP AN EYE ON THIS POSTING AS WE HAVE NEW INFORMATION JUST ABOUT EVERY DAY ABOUT OUR LIGHTNING PLAYERS!!!!!!!!

One of the main goals of Lightning is to assist our players in reaching their goal of playing basketball in high school and college. We are very proud that so many of our Lightning athletesare doing so well with their respective schools and colleges at this time of the year. Pete Gilbert, a Lightning Board Member, has suggested that we publicize the accomplishments of our Lightning players. He has agreed to write a regular update so that all of us can follow our terrific players. If you have news about Lighting players, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Our most recent article was posted on February 27. Kim Brennan continues to excel at Bentley College as both a player and student.

It is February and that means it is time to begin serious planning for the upcoming AAU Boys Basketball season. NY Metropolitan AAU will offer District Championships for ages 9-19 at Divisions l, ll and lll. These great tournaments will provide an opportunity for teams of all ages and varying ability levels to particpate in not only well run and competitve local events but also National Championship Tournaments. There is an AAU Qualifying event for all teams whether you are a top level elite team or a local community based squad.

Begin forming your schedule around the District Championships which for many teams is the highlight of their season.

For dates and  registration information  ............

Update as of February 26: We will be contacting those teams whose games were cancelled last night with a make-up date.

THE WINNERS OF BOTH THE COMPETITIVE AND RECREATIONAL LEAGUES WILL WIN A SPOT IN THE AAU EAST COAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT THAT WILL BE HELD AT ISLAND GARDEN FROM MARCH 26-28.

Our long time friends at Lawrence Woodmere Academy in nearby Woodmere have now joined us as a sponsor of Island Garden. You will soon see their signs at Island Garden as well as their presence at various events. This is a great match since both Lawrence Woodmere and Island Garden stand for many of the same values when it comes to student athletes. LWA is an outstanding academic institution that also has one of the top basketball programs in the New York Metropolitan area. The Head Coach of the Boys Varsity, Jeff Weiss, is one of the most respected coaches in all of New York State. He has a tremendous winning percentage but even more importantly is Jeff's proven dedication and concern for his athletes which has been the key part of his overall success in the past several years.

BE BETTER THAN THE REST...........

Island Garden is pleased to welcome Said Hamdan, M.S., A.T.C., who has trained a wide array of professional and college athletes. Such well known professionals as Allan Houston, Chris Mullin, Lon Kriger and Tim Capstraw all have offered testimonials praising Said's methods and results.  His program is designed to enhance the fundamentals, game approach, and athletic education of today's athlete - whatever your sport.

Island Garden is an excellent place to hold your son's or daughter's next birthday party. We provide the entire package so that all that mom and dad have to do is watch, enjoy and take pictures!