Youth Basketball: Milwaukee North Shore Guide 2025

M14 Hoops in Milwaukee

Milwaukee's north shore communities offer youth basketball opportunities ranging from recreational leagues to elite travel teams. This comprehensive guide covers programs in Whitefish Bay, Glendale, Fox Point, Bayside, Mequon, and Shorewood.

Recreational leagues

Whitefish Bay Recreation Department leads the region with well-established programs serving boys grades 1-6 and girls grades 1-4. Their co-ed basketball leagues run November through mid-February at Lydell Community Center and the high school field house. Registration opens each fall through the recreation department, with additional programs including January camps for grades 2-3 and free throw contests for grades 3-8.

Nicolet Recreation Department serves Glendale, Fox Point, and Bayside communities with competitive programs that require evaluation days. Their Nicolet Girls Youth Basketball (NGYB) and Jr. Knights Select Boys Basketball both target grades 3-8, running October through March. Registration costs $150 plus approximately $85 for uniforms, with evaluation days typically held in early September at Nicolet High School.

Mequon-Thiensville Recreation Department offers multiple programs including the Junior Highlander Boys Basketball and Highlander Girls Basketball Club. Their "Slammers" basketball program emphasizes fundamentals and structured skill development across multiple age groups. Contact Recreation Director Mike Schoemer at (262) 238-7536 for current program details and registration.

Shorewood Recreation Department operates youth basketball programs that serve as feeder systems to the high school "Greyhounds" program. Their "Junior Greyhounds" basketball includes practice, instruction, and games, with registration available through the recreation department at (414) 963-6913.

MUHS Junior Hilltoppers Basketball Program serves as the official youth basketball initiative of Marquette University High School. This character-based program serves boys in grades 4-8 with a three-tiered structure ensuring every participant receives appropriate placement. Full competition costs $325 plus uniform fees, with financial assistance available. The program emphasizes work ethic, fair play, sportsmanship, and leadership while developing basketball fundamentals, functioning as a feeder program to the main MUHS basketball program that won the 2024 WIAA Division 1 state championship.

Elite travel teams

Chapman Basketball Academy represents the premium tier of youth basketball development in the north shore area. Founded by Joe Chapman, a former McDonald's All-American who played at Marquette University on the 2003 Final Four team alongside Dwyane Wade, the academy operates over 80 AAU teams serving 1,500 athletes from 2nd grade through high school. Their approach emphasizes "basketball as an infinite game" with positive feedback and character development. Program costs range from $800-1,350 depending on age group and competition level, with a new 45,000 square foot Gateway Sports Academy facility opening in Saukville.

Club 52 anchors the north shore's competitive scene, operating from The Facility in Mequon (10725 N Executive CT). Led by Coach Cam Marotta, a former Marquette University program assistant, Club 52 serves ages U9-U17 with coaching staff including former Division I players and college coaches. The program emphasizes individual skill development through focused training sessions and maintains facilities at multiple locations including Lumen Christi and Whitefish Bay Warehouse.

Wisconsin Playground Warriors/Elite boasts multiple national championships and Nike Tournament of Champions appearances. Their tryouts typically occur in spring with a $20 non-refundable fee, serving both boys and girls programs throughout the Milwaukee area with strong emphasis on elite competition.

University Heat positions itself as Wisconsin's premier destination for elite athletic training, offering high-intensity basketball training for 4th grade through high school. Their philosophy focuses on reading the game quickly and executing under pressure, with typical AAU seasons running March through June.

Summer camps

Milwaukee Bucks Summer Camp at Nicolet High School provides the region's premier brand experience. Running June 16-20, 2025, the camp serves ages 7-14 with full-day ($325) and half-day ($215) options. Registration opens January 1st and includes an exclusive Bucks jersey plus ticket vouchers to 2025-26 home games.

Girls Basketball Camp with Sage Miskel & Carrington Balthasar offers specialized training August 4-7, 2025, 9am-12pm at The Warehouse (6619 N. Sidney Place, Glendale). This $125 camp for rising 3rd-6th graders includes shooting and ball-handling instruction, games and competitions, leadership talks, daily snacks, craft activities, and a camp t-shirt. Payment accepted via Venmo @sagemiskel, with additional 1-on-1 and small group training available June-August. Contact (310) 922-6221 for registration.

Club 52 Basketball Camps at The Facility in Mequon offer specialized programs including a Boys Only Camp (August 4-7, 9am-1pm) and the Cam & Chloe Marotta Girls Only Camp (July 14-17, 9am-1pm). These camps emphasize basketball fundamentals and competition, led by coaches with Marquette basketball connections.

Concordia University Wisconsin Basketball Camps provide comprehensive programming throughout summer 2025, including Boys Elite Camp for grades 10-12 (June 15), overnight camps for grades 5-10 (June 19-24), and multiple day camps for grades 4-8 (June 25-27 and July 28-30). Contact Kevin.Koch@cuw.edu for registration details.

School programs

Whitefish Bay School District operates comprehensive programs from elementary through high school levels. Whitefish Bay High School's Blue Dukes compete in the North Shore Conference, with Athletic Director Jeff Worzella (jeff.worzella@wfbschools.com) overseeing both varsity and JV programs. The middle school serves grades 6-8 with boys and girls teams, while elementary programs integrate with the recreation department.

Mequon-Thiensville School District features Homestead High School Highlanders as a North Shore Conference powerhouse. Athletic Director Erich Hinterstocker (ehinterstocker@mtsd.k12.wi.us) manages 14 no-cut athletic opportunities. The district operates Lake Shore Middle School and Steffen Middle School, both serving grades 6-8 with established basketball programs.

Fox Point-Bayside School District emphasizes inclusive participation with no-cut policies at Bayside Middle School for grades 7-8. Practices run Monday-Thursday ending at 4:30 PM, with games typically beginning at 4:00 PM. The district serves 851 students PK-8 with a 13:1 student-teacher ratio.

Shorewood School District operates K-12 programming with Shorewood High School Greyhounds competing in the Woodland East Conference. The district's 23 sports offerings include comprehensive basketball programs, with middle school athletics providing developmental opportunities and elementary programs building foundational skills.

Private training facilities

The Warehouse (6619 N. Sidney Place, Glendale) serves as headquarters for Jr. Dukes Basketball, featuring a regulation full court with wood grain sport court surface plus two cement half-courts. The professionally branded facility hosts programs for 3rd-8th grade boys and girls, with fees ranging from $400 (3rd grade) to $650 (7th-8th grade). The facility is managed by Nicole Miskel (317-646-9934) and strongly supported by the Balthasar family as major sponsors and volunteer coaches.

Elite Sports Club offers complete basketball facilities within their fitness complex, featuring basketball and volleyball courts plus comprehensive youth programs. Junior members age 10+ gain court access after completing their Teen Nutrition & Training program. Upcoming basketball camp at the Mequon location: Summer Session 2: July 21-August 24 for 4th-8th Grade. Members: $140 / Non-Members: $198
Mequon
Monday 6-7 pm.

M14Hoops Milwaukee provides customized basketball training for K-12th grade boys and girls, with programs designed for all skill levels from beginner to advanced. Their year-round programming includes individual skill training, group sessions, and specialized camps. Contact InfoMKE@M14Hoops.com for personalized training options.

Thrive3 Basketball Training in Mequon brings 12+ years of experience training over 40,000 players from middle school through NBA levels. Their elite programs feature small group classes limited to 6 players, customized skills training, and game-specific development. Contact (414) 255-6718 for individual and group training options.

Notable coaches

Cam Marotta leads Club 52 AAU Basketball with impressive credentials including Marquette University experience as a program assistant under Steve Wojciechowski (2019-2021). As a former Homestead High School varsity player and Marquette graduate with a master's in management, Marotta brings both local knowledge and college-level experience to north shore youth development.

Randy E. Howard directs Pro Skills Basketball (PSB) Milwaukee, bringing nearly a decade of coaching experience as a Milwaukee native who played college basketball at UW-Whitewater and UW-Washington County. His current role as JV2 Head Girls Coach at DSHA and Sports Director at local YMCA demonstrates ongoing commitment to youth development.

Nicole Miskel coordinates The Warehouse facility and Jr. Dukes Basketball programs, overseeing comprehensive 3rd-8th grade programming that runs late October through mid-March. Her daughter Sage Miskel, a 5'7" point guard for Whitefish Bay High School's Class of 2026, exemplifies the program's success while playing for Midwest Elite EYBL and leading the specialized girls camp.

Cost and registration overview

Recreation Programs: $150-$235 (Nicolet programs include $85 uniform costs) Travel Teams: $500-$1,000 per season (increases with age and competition level) Summer Camps: $125-$325 (Milwaukee Bucks camps at premium end) Private Training: Varies by program and coach credentials School Programs: Typically lower cost, with equipment and travel fees varying by district

Registration Timing: Most recreational programs open registration in fall, travel team tryouts occur in early August, and summer camps begin registration in winter/spring. Early registration recommended as popular programs fill quickly.

Contact information and current program details should be verified directly with each organization, as schedules and costs may change annually. The north shore's commitment to youth basketball ensures continued growth and opportunity for young athletes throughout these communities.