Hoops

My son is in a great basketball league; his third season with this organization. It is called Upward Sports and it is a national organization that churches can purchase to participate. While the kids enjoy the complete reversible jersey (Home versus Away) that comes with their registration, the parents enjoy the solid Christian foundation to the program and great skill building of the sport being played.

(My son #15 black jersey, arms up, defense):

At weekly practices, my son receives a devotional during the break, and a bible verse memory card. During half times of the games, a church leader provides a mini devotional or testimonial for the audience, while the players and coaches are in rooms taking a break. After the game, while the kids are snacking together, the coaches give out Stars (another player highlight) which reflect the player's strengths for the game.

For example, a blue star represents Best Effort, while a gray star equals Best Offense, and a white star is for Christlikeness, a red star for Best Defense, and a gold star for Best Sportsmanship, and a green star for every practice the player attends. Each player receives a star, so colors are duplicated among the team per game, but each player feels equally important. The stars are then ironed onto the player's white shirt uniform. By the end of the season, their sleeves are covered in meaningful stars.

(My son with the ball ... he shoots ... but it bounced out. Sooo close).

Another awesome plug for this organization ... the players wear colored wrist bands. They have to guard the player on the opposing team who is wearing the same color wrist band. This helps the younger players understand the rules of the game, to focus and not gang up on the person with the ball. For the older players, the colors represent skill level, so they are matched with equal skilled players of the opposing team; again to help eliminate a weaker skilled player being guarded by a dominant skilled player (but the players do not know this behind-the-scene-fact).

(My son with the ball, going for another try):

Everything about Upward is set for success. It is real basketball, played in a fair environment for positive success while learning. The kids get fouled, they get hurt, they make baskets, they don't make baskets ... real basketball in a Christian setting set for success. Can't get any better than that for our family.

(My son's favorite cheerleader):

*My son's coach is his daddy, so you can probably guess who the photographer is; and I am not as gifted with the camera as he.