North Light Nova
Middle School Boys Basketball
New!
North Light Homeschool Athletic Association is looking to start up a new middle school boys basketball team for the 2026/2027 basketball season!
If you have any questions, please fill out the contact form linked here:
Or if you are interested in having your son join the team, please fill out the interest form below!
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The North Light Homeschool Athletic Association (NLHAA) is currently looking for 7-8 more 7th-8th grade, homeschooled boys to join our 2026/27 competitive basketball team.
NLHAA’s goal is to provide Christ-centered sports programs where homeschool students can grow in faith, character, teamwork, and athletic skill. Rooted in the values of integrity, sportsmanship, and community, we strive to honor God both on and off the court.
As a Minnesota-based organization, we are proud to bring together families from across our region to build lasting friendships, develop leadership, and compete with excellence - all for the glory of God. As our associations core verse - Matthew 5:14 - states, we strive to be a light; a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.
This past year was our inaugural year, in which we started with a varsity girls team—The North Light Nova! The girls Nova did very well! Placing in every tournament they participated in!
We are now looking to begin a boys team. We will start with a 7th-8th grade team and then grow them into a JV and eventually a varsity boys team.
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7th-8th grade boys who love Jesus!
All boys MUST be homeschooled as defined by MN state statutes. (Online public school does not count at homeschool.)
7th-8th grade boys who desire to play competitive (not rec league) basketball. This is a team that we are looking to grow. Players will not all get equal playing time, but no player will sit the bench either. We are looking for guys who are willing to do the work to grow and develop as a player - both physically, but also spiritually and in Godly character.
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We are currently working with the MYAA here in the Twin Cities, and hoping to join their fall league which would give us some in town weekend tournaments.
We will also be a part of the National Homeschool Athletic Association which will allow us to play in some regional homeschool basketball tournaments. These are out of state (Iowa and WI) but VERY fun!
We also hope to play games against some local Christian schools.
Our practice court is located in Plymouth, MN. Practices will be Tuesday and Thursday evening with an optional practice on Monday nights. Practices will begin in late October. The season will run October through March.
Home games will be held in Crystal, MN at a local elementary gym.
The boys coach will be Elijah Peterson. Elijah is a 20 year old young man who has been coaching youth basketball through Upward sports for 4 years. He loves Jesus, loves basketball, and works well with middle school boys. He is currently about to enter his senior year at the U of MN finishing up a degree in Construction Management.
The goal of North Light is not to win every single game as much as it is to glorify Jesus both on and off the court. We are looking to play good basketball, but more so we are looking to grow a team that is close to Jesus and each other. This will require the right fit. Families will be interviewed by the North Light board and will also be required to sign agreement to North Lights Statement of Faith and Code of Conduct. Players will be required to sign the Players Code of Conduct as well.
In order to cover the cost of tournament entry fees, gym rental, uniforms, and supplies there will be a player fee of $400 plus travel expenses to and from the two out of state tournaments. (We encourage players families to carpool and share hotel rooms in order to save money in this area.) At this time, we do not have any scholarship money available (we are a new organization), however, if cost is an issue then please reach out as we can work to set up a payment plan.
MEET OUR COACHES!!!
Our coaches are more than basketball instructors - they are mentors who pour into each player’s life with wisdom, encouragement, and a love for Christ. Their goal is to help our boys grow not only as athletes, but as young men of faith and integrity.
Assistant Coach
Head Coach
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Elijah, a homeschool graduate, is currently attending the U of MN where he is pursuing a degree in Construction Management. Other than coaching and playing basketball he enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing, and trying new things.
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Elijah has coached boys basketball for four years with Upward basketball. In 2025/26 he was an assistant coach for Concordia’s middle school team.
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“When I was a kid, as a homeschooler, I did not have many opportunities to play the sport that I loved. I want to make sure that is not the case for other homeschoolers approaching their high school years. I want to create a community that not only fosters teamwork and healthy competition, but also Godly friendships.”
-Elijah Peterson
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The North Light Homeschool Athletic Association exists to glorify God through athletics by providing homeschool students with opportunities to develop Christ-like character, leadership, and teamwork. We are committed to fostering excellence in sportsmanship and skill while upholding biblical values in every aspect of competition. Our mission is to build a community where athletes, coaches, and families grow in faith, honor God in victory and defeat, and shine the light of Christ both on and off the field.
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North Light Homeschool Athletic Association seeks to provide enrolled homeschooled students, as defined by Minnesota homeschool laws, with access to organized athletic programs that promote physical fitness, teamwork, discipline, character development, and positive sportsmanship.
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North Light Homeschool Athletic Associations Statement of Faith
“In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty; and in all things, charity.” Rupertius Meldenius
We ask that you read and prayerfully consider the North Light Homeschool Athletic Associations statement of faith and purpose. The leadership of North Light agrees to the statement of faith prior to serving and agrees to make all decisions for the group based upon it. All members are also required to agree and purpose to uphold these statements at all North Light activities.
Essentials:
We believe that the Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the authoritative and powerful Word of God, verbally inspired by God, and without error in the original manuscripts. We believe that God’s intentions, revealed in the Bible, are the supreme and final authority in testing all claims about what is true and what is right. It is sufficient and nothing should be added to it, including new revelations of the Spirit nor traditions of men. In matters not addressed by the Bible, what is true and right is assessed by criteria consistent with the teachings of Scripture. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21, 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 14:37; Mark 13:31; John 8:31, 32; 14:26; 16:13–14; 17:17; 20:31; Acts 20:32; Matthew 22:29, 43–44; 24:35; Numbers 23:19; Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 12:6; 19:7–10; 119:9–16; Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2; 1 Timothy 4:13)
We believe in the literal interpretation of the Scriptures and affirm the belief that the opening chapters of Genesis present the creation of earth in 6 literal days. We believe that man came by direct creation of God and not by evolution. (Genesis 1-2 and especially 1:31, Exodus 31:17, John 1:3, Colossians 1:16-17)
We believe that there is only one living and true God, perfect in all His attributes, eternally existing in three persons- the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit- each equally deserving worship and obedience. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:5-7, 1 Corinthians 8:4, John 4:24, Matthew 23:19, 2nd Corinthians 13:14)
God the Father is the first person of the Trinity. He is an infinite and personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. He created the universe and continually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and events. He saves from sin and death all who come to him through Jesus Christ. (Psalm 145:8-9, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Ephesians 1:11, John 1:12, John 3:16, John 6:27)
Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity, who has the same nature as the Father (co-equal, co-substantial, co-eternal),and in his incarnation took on all the essential characteristics of humanity and so became fully God and fully man. (John 10:30, John 14:9, Philippians 2:5-8, Colossians 2:9)
We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in his substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for his people, and personal visible return to earth. (Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–38; 4:1–21; John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 3:21–26; 9:5; 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:1–2; 1 Peter 2:21–23; John 20:30, 31; Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 1:4; Acts 1:11; Romans 5:6–8; 6:9, 10; 7:25; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Timothy 3:16)
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. We believe that when Christ ascended into Heaven, he gave us the Spirit at Pentecost. It is the work of the Spirit to glorify Jesus Christ and to build the Church. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment, baptizes believers into the body, gives spiritual gifts and transformers believers into the likeness of Christ. He indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers for service and seals believers for the day of redemption. (John 14:16-17, John 15:26, 1 Corinthians 12:13, John 16: 7-9, Acts 1:5, Acts 2:4, Romans 8:9, Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 2:22)
We believe that man was created by God to glorify him and to enjoy him forever. Although God created Adam, the first man, morally upright, he chose to sin and to be led astray from the Word of God. His sin was imputed to all of humanity and humans came under the curse of death, the wrath of God and became inherently corrupt, incapable of choosing to please God. Man’s salvation is wholly through God’s grace through the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 43:7, Colossians 1:16, Revelation 4:11, Genesis 2:16-17, John 3:36, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Ephesians 2:1-3, 1 John 1:8)
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography and rejection of one’s biological sex) is sinful and offensive to God. We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Anchor Homeschool Group as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the North Light Homeschool Athletic Association participants and the community, it is imperative that all persons involved in Anchor Homeschool Group in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this statement on marriage, gender, and sexuality. (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:18-25, 1 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Corinthians 7:2-5, Hebrews 13:4, Matthew 15:18-20, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Matthew 5:16, Philippians 2:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 5:22)
Non-Essentials and Charity
We believe that in matters of secondary doctrine, such as the timing and mode of baptism, particular understanding of revival and the movement of the Holy Spirit, church governance, and style of worship there is liberty for the Christian to hold fast to his conscience. (Romans 14)
Families who participate in North Light Homeschool Athletic Association are from varied church denominations, with differences in secondary doctrinal practice, but we agree on the essentials of the gospel and the complete sufficiency of scripture as stated in point one.
We believe that secondary doctrinal differences that may exist should not hinder the unity of Christian home educators in our goal to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
If questions arise that are not covered in the statement of faith we encourage discussion, prayer and study of the word of God.
Romans 15: 5-7 “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
Colossians 3:14 “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
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Code of Conduct
North Light Homeschool Athletic Association
The North Light Homeschool Athletic Association (“the Association”) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and positive athletic environment for all participants. This Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behavior expected from athletes, parents/guardians, coaches, volunteers, and spectators. By participating in the Association’s programs, each person agrees to abide by these expectations.
I. Athletes
All athletes are expected to:
Respect Others – Treat teammates, opponents, coaches, referees/officials, and spectators with respect at all times.
Sportsmanship – Show good sportsmanship, whether winning or losing, and honor the rules of the game.
Effort and Commitment – Give their best effort in practices and games, arrive on time, and maintain a positive attitude.
Integrity – Refrain from dishonest, disrespectful, or unsafe behavior.
Responsibility – Care for uniforms, equipment, and facilities, and follow team and safety guidelines.
II. Parents and Guardians
All parents and guardians are expected to:
Positive Support – Encourage and support athletes, teams, and coaches in a positive manner.
Respect – Refrain from criticizing or yelling at officials, coaches, or players.
Constructive Communication – Direct concerns to coaches or the Board respectfully, following proper channels.
Role Modeling – Demonstrate integrity, respect, and sportsmanship in words and actions.
Commitment – Ensure athletes attend practices/games on time and meet financial and volunteer commitments.
III. Coaches and Volunteers
All coaches and volunteers are expected to:
Leadership by Example – Model integrity, respect, sportsmanship, and humility.
Athlete Development – Place the safety, growth, and character of athletes above winning.
Respectful Communication – Treat athletes, parents, referees, and other coaches with courtesy.
Safety First – Follow all safety guidelines and ensure a safe playing environment.
Accountability – Avoid favoritism, inappropriate language, or behavior; submit to background checks if required.
IV. Spectators
All spectators are expected to:
Positive Support – Cheer for all athletes and teams in a respectful and encouraging way.
Respect for Officials – Accept and respect the decisions of referees and officials without complaint.
No Disruptive Behavior – Avoid disruptive or unsportsmanlike behavior, including taunting, profanity, or negative remarks.
V. Prohibited Conduct
The following behaviors are strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action:
Use of profanity, insults, or derogatory language.
Aggressive, violent, or threatening behavior toward anyone.
Substance use (alcohol, tobacco, drugs) at Association events.
Bullying, hazing, or harassment of any kind.
Willful destruction of property or equipment.
VI. Disciplinary Action
Violations of this Code of Conduct may result in:
Verbal or written warning,
Suspension from practices, games, or events,
Removal from the team or Association,
Revocation of membership privileges.
All disciplinary decisions will be made by the Board of Directors or its designated committee, ensuring fairness and due process.
VII. Acknowledgment
All athletes, parents/guardians, and coaches must sign a Code of Conduct acknowledgment form prior to participation, affirming that they have read, understood, and agree to abide by this Code.
Interested in joining the team?
Just fill out the interest form below and we will be get in touch!