<p><em>"still shots of my sons Basketball team"</em><br>
<em>"budget of 300 or less"</em></p>
<p>Shoot at night with "work lights" from a home store (Home Depot, Lowes.) I would place 2 (or 3 depending on size of group) lights behind camera, above subjects eye level, spaced apart enough to achieve even lighting. Done.</p>
<p>If you're feeling ambitious, add 2 more lights above and behind the group (use ladder to attach to wall or ?) as a hair light and to wash the background.</p>
<p>I would use the 50mm lens.</p>