Upward Basketball Kicks Off New Season
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Basketball season is once again on the horizon.
And for children in grades kindergarten through six, basketball season also means it's time for Upward Basketball in Warsaw again.
Early registration deadline has been extended one week, to Nov. 9 from Nov. 2. Late registrations are due by Nov. 17. Applications are available at local elementary schools, by calling 267-0123, at Reneker's Sports Shop or can be downloaded at upwardwarsaw.org
Upward Basketball in Warsaw also is offering a new program for local girls. "This year," said Upward Basketball in Warsaw chairman Len Morris, "we've launched a cheerleading program."
Mindy Jones is the cheerleader director. She volunteered for the first-year cheerleading program after she and her husband coached her daughter's Upward Basketball team last year.
A cheerleader when she was in junior high and high school, Jones said she hopes the cheerleading program will get more girls in the community involved.
"I'm hoping it'll bring more of the little girls out, get them involved," said Jones.
The cheers and motions are already made up. The girls will get to see a video on cheers and the coaches will help teach the cheerleaders the chants.
Besides cheering on the teams, the cheerleaders will perform chants at half time of the Upward Basketball games.
Jones said she did not know how many girls to expect the first year. However, she said several mothers have told her they and their daughters are excited about the cheerleader league.
Evaluations for Upward Basketball players is Nov. 10 and 17. League play starts in February. Last year, Upward Basketball in Warsaw had 534 participants. This year, Morris said, they are expecting more than 800 participants.
Practices for cheerleaders will begin the week of Jan. 28, with practice being one day a week. Games will be on Saturdays, except the kindergarten league, which practices and plays on Mondays. Kindergarten cheerleaders will practice on Mondays a half-hour before games begin.
The basketball program for children in grades one through six will have practice one night per week.
The Upward Basketball league is open to anyone who wants to play, Morris said, and games will be played at schools all over Kosciusko County.
With the growth in number of participating children, more volunteers will be needed.
Morris said, "We're looking for volunteers to run score clocks, to referee, to coach, and we're also looking for financial contributions."
Coaches and referees are trained to support and encourage children at all skill levels. Basketball excellence is stressed but the child is more important than the game. No child is cut regardless of skill levels.
Cost to play is $50 per child for either basketball or cheerleading, but an additional $10 after the Nov. 9 deadline. Cost for basketball players includes a jersey, a T-shirt and all materials and awards. The cheerleaders will receive a shirt, pom poms and face decals. Skorts can be purchased for an additional fee. Girls may choose to play basketball and be involved in the cheerleading program for $100. If a girl chooses to do both, some conflicts may be unavoidable.
"Financial assistance is available for those who need it," said Morris.
The purpose of Upward Basketball, he said, is "to share the good news of Jesus Christ and teach the skills of basketball, sportsmanship and teamwork."
All participants in the basketball program will play half a game regardless of skill level. Boys and girls play separately.
Upward Basketball is a national nonprofit organization with more than 100,000 children participating. A basketball league designed to instruct elementary children in the skills of basketball while emphasizing Christian values, the program began in South Carolina many years ago by a youth minister.
Upward Basketball of Warsaw is a nonprofit charitable organization, locally organized and operated.
In each game, every child receives the same amount of minutes. Player rotation is different each game so everyone has a chance to start. The program is open to every elementary school student in the Warsaw, Triton, Wawasee, Tippecanoe Valley and Whitko school systems, as well as students in local Christian schools.
Scores are not kept for the games for the younger groups. The emphasis is on learning skills, rules and Christianity.
Upward Basketball in Warsaw board members include Morris, vice chairman Joe Moore, secretary Dr. Steve Hollar, treasurer Tim Ziebarth, director Troy Hershberger and Jones, with Mike VanCleave as a special adviser.
Donations can be sent to: Upward Basketball in Warsaw, 1849 Springhill Road, Warsaw, IN 46580. [[In-content Ad]]
Latest News
E-Editions
Basketball season is once again on the horizon.
And for children in grades kindergarten through six, basketball season also means it's time for Upward Basketball in Warsaw again.
Early registration deadline has been extended one week, to Nov. 9 from Nov. 2. Late registrations are due by Nov. 17. Applications are available at local elementary schools, by calling 267-0123, at Reneker's Sports Shop or can be downloaded at upwardwarsaw.org
Upward Basketball in Warsaw also is offering a new program for local girls. "This year," said Upward Basketball in Warsaw chairman Len Morris, "we've launched a cheerleading program."
Mindy Jones is the cheerleader director. She volunteered for the first-year cheerleading program after she and her husband coached her daughter's Upward Basketball team last year.
A cheerleader when she was in junior high and high school, Jones said she hopes the cheerleading program will get more girls in the community involved.
"I'm hoping it'll bring more of the little girls out, get them involved," said Jones.
The cheers and motions are already made up. The girls will get to see a video on cheers and the coaches will help teach the cheerleaders the chants.
Besides cheering on the teams, the cheerleaders will perform chants at half time of the Upward Basketball games.
Jones said she did not know how many girls to expect the first year. However, she said several mothers have told her they and their daughters are excited about the cheerleader league.
Evaluations for Upward Basketball players is Nov. 10 and 17. League play starts in February. Last year, Upward Basketball in Warsaw had 534 participants. This year, Morris said, they are expecting more than 800 participants.
Practices for cheerleaders will begin the week of Jan. 28, with practice being one day a week. Games will be on Saturdays, except the kindergarten league, which practices and plays on Mondays. Kindergarten cheerleaders will practice on Mondays a half-hour before games begin.
The basketball program for children in grades one through six will have practice one night per week.
The Upward Basketball league is open to anyone who wants to play, Morris said, and games will be played at schools all over Kosciusko County.
With the growth in number of participating children, more volunteers will be needed.
Morris said, "We're looking for volunteers to run score clocks, to referee, to coach, and we're also looking for financial contributions."
Coaches and referees are trained to support and encourage children at all skill levels. Basketball excellence is stressed but the child is more important than the game. No child is cut regardless of skill levels.
Cost to play is $50 per child for either basketball or cheerleading, but an additional $10 after the Nov. 9 deadline. Cost for basketball players includes a jersey, a T-shirt and all materials and awards. The cheerleaders will receive a shirt, pom poms and face decals. Skorts can be purchased for an additional fee. Girls may choose to play basketball and be involved in the cheerleading program for $100. If a girl chooses to do both, some conflicts may be unavoidable.
"Financial assistance is available for those who need it," said Morris.
The purpose of Upward Basketball, he said, is "to share the good news of Jesus Christ and teach the skills of basketball, sportsmanship and teamwork."
All participants in the basketball program will play half a game regardless of skill level. Boys and girls play separately.
Upward Basketball is a national nonprofit organization with more than 100,000 children participating. A basketball league designed to instruct elementary children in the skills of basketball while emphasizing Christian values, the program began in South Carolina many years ago by a youth minister.
Upward Basketball of Warsaw is a nonprofit charitable organization, locally organized and operated.
In each game, every child receives the same amount of minutes. Player rotation is different each game so everyone has a chance to start. The program is open to every elementary school student in the Warsaw, Triton, Wawasee, Tippecanoe Valley and Whitko school systems, as well as students in local Christian schools.
Scores are not kept for the games for the younger groups. The emphasis is on learning skills, rules and Christianity.
Upward Basketball in Warsaw board members include Morris, vice chairman Joe Moore, secretary Dr. Steve Hollar, treasurer Tim Ziebarth, director Troy Hershberger and Jones, with Mike VanCleave as a special adviser.
Donations can be sent to: Upward Basketball in Warsaw, 1849 Springhill Road, Warsaw, IN 46580. [[In-content Ad]]