Upward basketball, cheerleading season begins soon

Nevada First Baptist Church will be hosting their sixth season of Upward Basketball and Cheerleading this year. Registration for this community-wide basketball league for kindergarten through sixth grade children is going on now. Registration forms are available at the church office.

The $35 registration fee includes a reversible mesh jersey and shorts or cheer vest and skort, T-shirt, individual awards after each practice and game, an end of the year award, and more. Scholarships are available. Children are guaranteed equal playing time, separate leagues for boys and girls, one hour weekly practices, and one hour games on Saturday throughout the ten-week season.

This year, FBC expects to see 250 children participate, a 25-percent increase from last season. League director Jeanette Hawkins believes the growth the league has experienced over the last several years is due to the schedule. Hawkins explains, "Upward Basketball is not as time consuming as many recreation leagues in our area. Children have a one-hour practice during the week, and a one-hour game on the weekend." Parent Amanda Fisher agrees. Fisher says, "Although my kids are only here two hours a week, the quality of the league is outstanding."

In addition to maximizing the family schedule, participants are individually evaluated and placed on teams according to their evaluation score, ensuring equal teams. The evaluation process will take place Monday, Dec. 10 and Tuesday, Dec. 11, 6-8 p.m. Evaluations will be held at First Baptist Church in Nevada.

The 2007-'08 season practices will begin the week of Jan. 2, and the first game will be Jan. 26. Games will be played at the church. For more information about Upward Basketball in Nevada, visit www.nevadafirstbaptist.org or contact Jeanette Hawkins at (417) 667-6036 or (417) 667-2011.