Basketball league centered on funr

WINTERSVILLE - A Christ-centered basketball league where the emphasis is on enjoying the game and having fun, not necessarily winning, awaits area boys and girls in grades kindergarten through sixth, thanks to a new outreach being offered by a Wintersville church.

The Upward Basketball League, which has more than 400,000 children playing in such leagues nationwide, is just beginning to catch on in the Northeast, according to the Rev. Jeff Greco, the new pastor at Crossroads Christian Church at 81 Talbott Drive.
And the hope is that it will touch the lives of as many as 150 to 200 children locally.

Greco, who was involved with one of the estimated 10 leagues that existed in Wichita, Kan., when he served there as pastor at Faith Christian Church, said the league is "very big in the Midwest and the South." In Ohio, he only knows of its existence in Columbus and Massillon.

"We're pretty excited to have it here," Greco said of the league that is open to anyone with no residency restrictions.

The league promotes character, self-esteem, equal playing time for every player, separate leagues for boys and girls, a one-hour practice and game each week of the season and a system where children play against children of equal skill.

Greco said league standings aren't kept and for players in grades kindergarten through second, there are no scores. Playoffs don't exist in the league either where "Every child is a winner" is the motto.

"We're going to have kids who will enjoy themselves. This league focuses more on the kids than winning and we'll teach them about Jesus. This is a ministry but it's also a quality basketball program," said Greco, who became pastor of the church effective Aug. 1, replacing George Hugus, the retiring pastor. Greco resides in Bloomingdale with his wife, Melissa, and their children: Austin, 13; Alicia, 11; Abby, 7; and Adrian, 6.

The league concept has proven popular, he said, because children participating in sports in general are under "incredible pressure" to perform and that's not healthy. "They don't have fun," Greco said.

The local league begins practices on Dec. 7 with the first game on Jan. 8 and the awards night scheduled for March 5. All games and practices will be held at the School of Bright Promise in Steubenville. Games will be held on Saturdays only with a one-hour weekly practice either on Tuesday or Thursday.

Registration is under way at the church office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday but also will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Kroger in Wintersville and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 23 at Dick's Sporting Goods near the Fort Steuben Mall.

The deadline to register is Nov. 4. The early registration fee is $50. After Oct. 25, the cost is $60. Checks should be made out to Crossroads Christian Church. Each player will receive a Bible; an Upward Basketball reversible jersey, T-shirt and magnet; an Upward Basketball Winner magazine; an Upward music CD, individual awards after each practice and game and an end-of-the-season award. Shorts are optional for $13.

All players are required to attend one evaluation, according to Greco. Those will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Buchanan Elementary gymnasium next to Indian Creek High School for boys and girls in grades first through fourth. The evaluation for boys and girls in kindergarten, and fifth and sixth grades will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 4. Each player's height, speed, agility and basketball skills will be assessed.

The church is the sponsor and organizer of the league with men from the church serving as coaches and referees, but more will be needed. All of them must take a mandated five-hour training course on Nov. 13 led by Greco, who explained the Upward League concept originated at a church in Spartansburg, S.C., in 1986.

Greco said the league meets a need in that there aren't many sports opportunities for children in grades kindergarten through third, but overall it also provides "a more positive venue for kids to get in and enjoy athletics."

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