12 • The Beacon November 18 , 2021
Perry Chapel ready to bring Upward basketball back
By Josie Sellers
The Upward team at Perry Chapel Baptist Church will welcome the basketball program back after a year off due to COVID .
“ A lot of people get excited about Thanksgiving because of the cooking and family time . Others get excited about Christmas , but there is another season — Upward basketball ,” said Janie Clifford , the fundraising coordinator for the Upward program at Perry Chapel . “ It ’ s so much fun and involves so many people . It ’ s a great way to reach out to the community .”
Over the past 17 years , they have had anywhere from 120-220 kids participate in the program each year .
“ Everyone gets an equal amount of time to play ,” said Toni Lee , Upward director at the church . “ They all get the opportunity to start and dribble down the floor . We want everyone to feel they are important and needed . One of the best things to watch is when you have a player who has never scored , and you see both teams rally around them to get them the ball .”
The Upward basketball program was founded by Caz McCaslin . His vision was to share Christ with people who churches may not otherwise have the opportunity to reach .
“ There is only a one-hour-perweek practice , and games are on Saturday for an hour ,” Lee said . “ During practice you take a break
Submitted
The Upward team at Perry Chapel Baptist Church will welcome the basketball program back after a year off due to COVID .
on the half hour for five to 10 minutes to share a devotion written by Upward . Every coach is given a book with it all mapped out , so they are on the same page .”
Amanda Wallace helps plan a special time of sharing God ’ s word at halftime of the games .
“ Volunteers give three- to fiveminute devotions ,” she said . “ It can be a life testimony or something they got from a devotional . It ’ s a time to help point people to God .”
There also can be singing , dancing from the cheerleaders or skits performed by youth .
“ I got involved because my son played , and this is such a huge ministry at this church ,” Wallace said . “ I can coach , sing and rally people to speak .”
The church has already held two registration / evaluation days but has another one planned for 9-11 a . m . on Saturday , Nov . 20 . Practices start the first week in January , and games begin on Jan . 15 . The season lasts eight weeks and ends with a special celebration on March 6 .
“ The celebration is a big deal with an entertainer geared toward the kids ,” Clifford said .
Parents can call the church at 740-327-5800 to schedule an evaluation for a different date if Nov . 20 does not work for them .
Upward basketball is for boys and girls in kindergarten through ninth grade . There are currently a little more than 120 signed up with 20 of those being cheerleaders . More girls are specifically needed to even out the teams , and
Submitted
Upward basketball is for boys and girls in kindergarten through ninth grade . There are currently a little more than 120 signed up with 20 of those being cheerleaders . More girls are specifically needed to even out the teams , and it is possible to cheer and play .
it is possible to cheer and play .
The cost per child is $ 20 with a $ 50 cap per family . Scholarships are available for families not able to afford this fee . Players receive a reversible jersey , shorts , T-shirt and prize at the end of the year .
The cost is kept low due to fundraisers held throughout the year and the snack shop , which is more like a mini restaurant .
“ People will come here on game days just to eat ,” Clifford said . “ There will be lines from the counter clear out .”
Breakfast and lunch are served , and every week they have a special .
“ Our mushroom Swiss burger is popular ,” Clifford said . “ We have all kinds of burgers , chicken strips , fish , fries , chips , candy , drinks and more . For breakfast we have a sausage , egg and cheese sandwich . Our sausage and gravy is huge , and we will make eggs any way you want . We draw a lot of people .”
No admission is charged on game day .
“ This ( Upward ) was the vision of our late Pastor Dave ,” Lee said . “ Jesus is our focus and at the center of what we do . Upward helps us reach people that may otherwise never step foot in a church but will come to watch their children or grandkids play basketball .”
Perry Chapel Baptist Church is located at 19476 Township Road 380 in Warsaw .
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