As the temperature drops outside, the sound of basketballs going through nets rises inside gyms across Spartanburg. The courts at local churches and the YMCA fill with Spartanburg High School students a couple of nights each week, representing churches such as the Episcopal Church of the Advent, First Presbyterian, First Baptist and several others. Lacing up their shoes, greeting teammates and stepping onto the court, these students represent a tradition that blends competition, community and faith together, Church League basketball.
Church League has deep roots in Spartanburg. It began as a series of informal pickup games in the early and mid-20th century and grew steadily through the 1960s and 1970s. In 1986, First Baptist Church recreation minister Caz McCaslin organized the first structured youth league. He later founded Upward Sports in 1995, expanding the idea into a national program that now includes soccer, cheerleading and flag football. The spirit of fun and teamwork, rather than pressure or performance, has stayed the same even with that growth.
With the new season just beginning, early practices and opening games give players a chance to figure out each other’s strengths, build chemistry and settle into the rhythm of weekly competition.
One of the biggest draws of Church League is its atmosphere. To kick off the beginning of each game, the referees, coaches and players gather on the court for a prayer. The games can be very competitive, but the environment, athletics-wise, tends to feel more relaxed than school athletics. Students who may not play for the Vikings, who aren’t necessarily the best at basketball or who just want a break from the intensity of school sports, find a welcoming space on these teams.
Rob Metts (10), who plays for Advent, shared his favorite parts of Church League.
“The best part about this league is praying before the games. All the players have fun instead of worrying about winning or losing,” Metts said.
Coaches, many of whom volunteer time out of their own busy schedules, help shape the environment that keeps the players coming back. Their focus leans toward fundamentals and teamwork rather than the scoreboard. Some players say this approach makes improvement feel more meaningful, and mistakes feel like part of the process.
Sportsmanship is a defining part of the League’s culture. It naturally creates opportunities for new friendships because it brings together students from different churches and even different schools
For students like Andrew Winter (11), the League has helped him connect with people he might not have met otherwise.
“Church League has brought me closer to my teammates, as I didn’t know some of my teammates that I am playing with, but now I know them better and have a good relationship with them,” Winter said.
The stands reflect the same sense of community. Parents, siblings, classmates and church members show up week after week to fill the bleachers with encouragement. Younger kids play along the sidelines, friends gather to cheer on their classmates and adults reconnect with familiar faces from past seasons.
Practices and games become a chance to unwind, reconnect with friends and be part of a team that spans grades and social circles. The laughter during drills, the inside jokes on the bench and the shared excitement of close games create memories that last long after the season ends.
James Little (9), who also plays for Advent, shared his thoughts on the season so far.
“This basketball season has been fun but challenging. So far, we have faced only one team, but the best team, in my opinion, is the First Presbyterian team,” Little said.
Ultimately, Church League basketball is about more than the final score. It provides a space where students can play and enjoy being part of something in a busy season of schoolwork, extracurriculars and responsibilities.
