ELKHART
On Sunday basketball players at Trinity United Methodist Church will celebrate the end of a busy, fruitful season.
More than 300 kids were a part of Trinity's Upward Bound program this year. The program, which started in January, wrapped up March 14 and will hold its awards ceremony on Sunday, teaches kids the fundamentals of basketball and of living a Christian life.
The scene during the Upward season is one of a controlled, hoops-themed chaos. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. basketball players, grades kindergarten through sixth grade, play games simultaneously on the gym's two courts.
Younger kids' games focus more on developing the technical skills necessary for the game while older kids' games are officiated more thoroughly. Friends and family fill small stacks of bleachers on the sides of the courts while cheerleaders offer encouragement from a stage at the rear of the gym.
Upward players began three weeks of practice at the start of the year before the games kicked off the third week in January. The kids and coaches join hands for a short devotion after each practice. A devotion was also held for those attending the games during halftime.
After the games the kids are given a snack as well as stars -- which they earn for their performance on and off the court. Stars are handed out for best offense, best defense, sportsmanship and most Christ-like behavior, to name a few.
Chris Lantz, activities director for the Trinity Life Center, said there's a lot that can be learned about living a Christian life through playing the game.
"It's amazing how just a basketball can be an avenue to teach kids how to work with other people, how to accept missing a shot, accepting failure, things that happen in life," he said.
Lantz said interest in the program has grown substantially since its inception last year. Three hundred and two basketball players and 68 cheerleaders were a part of this year's program, up from 150 participants last year. Next year Lantz anticipates a new location will be needed to host games.
Fourth-grader Jack Deputy and second-grader Grant Lucchese are two players who have taken a lot from the program, especially in terms of improving their game.
Jack and Grant estimate they've been playing basketball since they were about 4 or 5. The program has taught them not to travel, to look for passes and to keep their heads up when shooting. Jack appreciates the program because "you actually learn stuff."
Grant said the training has helped him improve his favorite part of the game: shooting.
"If you make it you get really happy," he said.
Lantz knows that the kids learn a lot from the program, but he thinks the adults involved get more out of Upward than anyone else. Coaches have seen kids grow in their faith through the program and practice grace, mercy and sharing during their games. Those displays, Lantz said, stay with the adults.
"Kids teach us adults more than anything else," he said.
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Upward Unlimited is a non-profit organization that partners with local evangelical churches to provide resources and training for conducting children’s sports ministry. Upward Basketball, Upward Cheerleading, Upward Soccer, and Upward Flag Football are all ministry programs of Upward Unlimited.