Upward basketball players focus on equal playing time, skill building

April 10, 2012 | 6:00 a.m. CDT

Members of the Marlins and Rangers basketball teams, part of the Upward Sports league, compete in a game March 11 at Memorial Baptist Church. Upward basketball focuses on equal playing time and skill building "for the sports arena and values for life," according to its website.

Layveontay Smith of the Rangers loses control of the ball during a game against the Marlins on March 11 at Memorial Baptist Church. | Leah Beane

Max Hockman, Jake Ryan, Nehemiah Shepard and Isaiah Bonaparte wait on the Marlins' bench during a game against the Rangers on March 11 at Memorial Baptist Church. | Leah Beane

Langston Stroupe of the Rangers wishes the Marlins a good game after the two kindergarten teams' matchup March 11 at Memorial Baptist Church. The Rangers and the Marlins play in the Upward basketball league, which focuses on skill building and equal playing time for the participants. | Leah Beane

Jacob Tipton of the Marlins tries to pass the ball around Rangers player Langston Stroupe to teammate Max Hockman during a game between the kindergarten teams March 11 at Memorial Baptist Church. The Upward basketball league uses colored wristbands to help the players remember which member of the opposing team to guard. | Leah Beane

Isaiah Bonaparte of the Marlins dribbles toward the basket while Cohen Dugger, Layveontay Smith and Jay McGuire of the Rangers chase down the ball during a game between the kindergarten teams March 11. | Leah Beane

Todd McCubbin looks at his son Tate McCubbin, 5, during the magic show at Memorial Baptist Church's award ceremony for Upward basketball. This was the first of two award nights for honoring all of the kids participating in Upwards' sports. | Alyssa Goodman

Joe Vancil, director of Upward, has ice water dumped on his head outside Memorial Baptist Church. Vancil told the team that if they each scored a basket during the season, ice water would be dumped on him. | Alyssa Goodman