Chicago Cannons Fall '25 TRAVEL BASKETBALL
(HIGH SCHOOL BOYS & Girls)
After just one full year under the Chicago Cannons name, the growth of the program has been tremendous. Powered by Play Hard Hoops, the Cannons have established themselves as a respected and competitive presence in the city’s high school basketball scene—offering structured development, high-level competition, and consistent improvement opportunities.
As we look toward Fall 2025, the Cannons will once again offer high school travel teams, focusing primarily on the 15U and 16U boys age groups, with expansion into boys 17U, and potential JV/Varsity level girls teams as well. This fall season will include:
Local Travel Teams with competitive weekend tournaments and flexible practice schedules.
Note: Unlike the spring and summer seasons, there will be no regional exposure tournaments in the fall. Our fall programming is designed with school team winter preparation in mind, giving players competitive reps without the extended travel commitment.
We're incredibly proud of how far the program has come in just one year, with Cannons and Warriors athletes now representing high school teams across the city. Players from our system are competing at programs including:
Amundsen, Brother Rice, DePaul Prep, Francis W. Parker, Lake Forest Academy, Lake View, Lane Tech, Latin, Lincoln Park, Marist, Mount Carmel, St. Ignatius, St. Rita, University of Chicago Lab, Walter Payton, Whitney Young, and more!
The Cannons Travel Program is directed by Coach Michael Kaye (PHH Director/Mount Carmel Sophomore Coach), alongside a highly experienced coaching staff:
Isaac Moore (Former St. Pat’s player & assistant coach, D2 player at Dominican)
Calvin Hill (Mount Carmel Freshman Head Coach)
Manny Paterson (FWP Varsity Assistant, former D1/Pro Player)
Lukas Moore (FWP Varsity Assistant)
Madeleine McTague (PHH Director, former D1 Player)
FOR WHO
High School Boys | 15U - 16U - 17U
(Incoming 9th–11th Graders)
High School Girls | 15U - 16U - 17U
TBD – Interest-Based Team Formation
TRYOUTS
Boys - Saturday, August 9 | 10:00–11:30 AM @ OSM
- Wednesday, August 13 | 7:30–9:00 PM @ OSM
- Saturday, August 16 | 7:15–8:30 PM @ CE
Girls - TBD
PRACTICES:
Aug 25 – Oct 26 (9 Week Season)
1 team practice + 1 skill/scrimmage workout per week
Locations include: Hope Academy, Mount Carmel, Mitchell, Nettelhorst, Old St. Mary’s
GAME SCHEDULE:
Approx 10-12 games, @ Chicagoland Tournaments
Targeted dates: Sept 13/14, 20/21, 27/28, Oct 4/5, Oct 11/12, 18/19, 25/26
TEAM SEASON COST: $750-900 TBD- team fee (coaching, practices, shootouts)
UNIFORM PACKAGE: $95 - (for new players)
STRENGTH+ATHLETICISM PROGRAM: TBD - with Coach Bryce. Additional fee, sessions likley at Mount Carmel
PHH GUIDE FOR SUCCESS
PHILOSOPHY: We will teach the fundamentals of the game and learn team concepts we believe help teams succeed. Offensive and defensive philosophy are concepts to prepare for high school basketball. Our teams will be taught motion offense concepts / sharing the ball. We will teach team defensive concepts learned while coaching college basketball: man-to-man concepts must be taught and played unselfishly. We will focus on playing hard, competing regardless of the situation we are faced, as a team can overcome talent deficiencies by competing harder than its opponent.
Player Objectives: Provide PHH players with opportunity for improvement, keep skills sharp, improve basketball IQ and provide competition appropriate games. Teams will use practice time to prepare for game play and also to build on fundamental skills. PHH Coaches will build a team first atmosphere where players can improve and have fun with teammates.
TEAM GOALS:
Play Team Basketball
Play W/Passion
Play For Each Other
INDIVIDUAL GOALS:
Skill Development – Execute Fundamentals
Improved Knowledge of the Game
Be Part of a Team – Love Your Teammates
Motivated For Future Improvement
PLAYER EXPECTATIONS:
Practice Hard
Be a Good Teammate
Be Coachable
Play Hard Hoops Families:
Thank you for your interest in the Play Hard Travel Program. Our goals for the program are to grow each season while providing coaching that will give your son/daughter a greater opportunity to develop their skill level and knowledge of the game as they progress in the game of basketball.
FOR PARENTS:
Playing time will not be equal but earned. However, all players will play in every game they attend, and all players will receive substantial playing time. We want players to understand the importance of attending practice, listening, working hard and playing team basketball. Playing time issues are never to be discussed in front of the kids or on game day. If you have any issues regarding playing time, please contact us on Monday or Tuesday when we can appropriately discuss.
Parent Behavior is important to Play Hard Hoops and it is important to your son/daughter: Please refrain from attacks on officials. Please refrain from talking about other players on our team and our opponents’ team. Please refrain from being overly critical of the coach. Please maintain your perspective that this is youth basketball.
For more information or any questions regarding our travel program please reach out to:
Michael Kaye- Director
314-332-7788 / coachkaye@playhardhoops.com