Shoot some hoops? Here's where to pick up a game

Baseball season has come and gone, football season is almost gone, but don't worry that you'll be lost in a sports black hole for long. Basketball season is kicking into high gear.

Here's where you can find local basketball leagues starting up this winter.

Sportsmonster: Sportsmonster will offer a variety of basketball leagues in the city. They range anywhere from coed to men's leagues and women's league. The 5-on-5 games are seven weeks long with two playoff weeks. The balls, referees and scorekeepers are included in the price along with a league T-shirt. The cost for an individual to join is $115 and the cost for a team is $735, with a $10 fee for any extra players. Check out sportsmonster.net.

Players Sports Group: 5-on-5 teams, coed, men's and women's, can sign up throughout January. The cost is $949 for team or $95 for an individual. The games are seven weeks long with one playoff week. Go to playerssports.net for more on the dates and times.

Schaumburg Park District: Dribble your way over to the Schaumburg Park District for several different basketball league opportunities. There is open gym basketball almost every day of the week whether it is the Adult Only Open Gym, the All Ages Open Gym or the Youth Open Gym or just plain old simple Open Gym. These are held at all three of the Schaumburg Park District facilities. The prices range from $4-$7 for members and $7-$9 for nonmembers. On the other hand, if you are in the mood to have a serious workout while playing, go for the Men's Physical Fitness and Basketball, which is open to men ages 18 and up and runs for 10 weeks. The cost is $60 for members and $80 for nonmembers. Check out parkfun.com for more information.

Elk Grove Park District: The Elk Grove Park District is offering both an Men's A & B League that will begin on Monday, Jan. 12, and will run until the end of April. All teams will make the playoffs and awards will be given to the first two best teams of the season and the first and second place tournament teams. The cost is $800 for residents, which means at least seven players must be an Elk Grove Village resident or $850 or nonresident. The games will be played on Mondays at 6 p.m. The Elk Grove Park District also offers open gym play for those of you looking for some noncompetitive fun. The gym is open to those 18 years or older and the daily admission is $4 for resident and $14 for nonresident. If you are over age 50 and looking to play with your age group, it also offers a 50 and over program in which it forms different teams each night. This is held on Mondays and the cost is $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers. Head over to www. elkgroveparks.org for additional information.

Buffalo Grove Park District: If you are looking for some informal league play this winter, then sprint on over to the Buffalo Grove Park District. The sessions begin the week of Jan. 11 and go until the end of March. You must be 18 years or older to play and the cost ranges from $48-$60 for resident and $72-$90 for nonresident. Go to bgparkdistrict.com for more information. However, those of you in the area looking for both competitive play, the Mount Prospect Park District is offering an 11-week Men's Basketball League. Each team will play 10 games beginning the week of Jan. 11. The cost is $575 per team. For more information, visit mppd.org.