Our Programs
KC Wildcats fields competitive AAU teams for athletes in grades 2 through 8 across Ellensburg, Thorp, and Kittitas. Every team — boys and girls — competes at the same level and is held to the same SAGE standards. There's no A team and B team here. There's just the work.
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We aim to field at least one competitive team per grade level each season, depending on registration numbers and coaching availability. If numbers allow a second team at a grade level, both teams compete in AAU. Neither is considered junior varsity.
Grades 2–8, boys and girls
Primary season: Winter
Optional seasons: Fall and Spring
Home gym: Ellensburg, with occasional use of Central Washington University facilities
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Our primary competition region includes Wenatchee, Yakima, Ellensburg, and Moses Lake. Finding the right level of competition sometimes means traveling further — Tri-Cities, Spokane, or Seattle. We'd rather drive two hours and play a real game than win a bracket that doesn't mean anything.
Typical travel by season:
Local tournaments (under 20 min): 2–4 per season
Regional tournaments (Yakima, Wenatchee, Moses Lake): 2–3 per season
State qualifying events: Tri-Cities, Spokane, or Seattle for teams that earn it
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Grades 2–3 Every player gets approximately 40% of available minutes. The goal at this level is simple: touch the ball, learn the game, have fun.
Grades 4–8 Playing time is earned through SAGE standards — Skill, Attitude, Growth, and Effort. Players who consistently meet those standards play. On an 8-player roster, coaches aim for 8–12 minutes per player per game. Coaches retain final discretion based on game situation, foul trouble, and roster size.
The 24-hour rule applies: if you have concerns about playing time, wait 24 hours after the game, then contact the coach directly to schedule a conversation.
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State qualification begins at 4th grade by finishing 1st or 2nd at a qualifying tournament. Divisions are based on local high school classification:
2A/3A and below: Silver division
3A–4A: Gold division
Club: Multi-district
