UPWARD BASKETBALL
Grades 1-6


Upward Basketball is a family-focused program that helps kids develop basketball skills as well as leadership and life principles. Each player gets equal playing time and the ability to strive in a positive gym atmosphere!


Registration is CLOSED for the 2022-23 Season of Upward Basketball through icSports at Immanuel Church in Gurnee, IL. Registration will run through October 22 and the cost per player is $165, but you can save $20 per player by taking advantage of the early registration discount and registering by September 12.


Division-specific information is below. Divisions are NOT Co-Ed; we have separate divisions for Boys and Girls.



1st-2nd Grade Boys and Girls Divisions


The 1st-2nd Grade Boys and Girls Divisions will use the single-day per week format where everything, including practice and team-versus-team gameplay, is completed in a 90-minute Saturday morning timeslot. Team practice times will vary within the Saturday morning window based on opponent/game schedule.

Benefits:

  • Reduced Travel/Commuting/Carpool Complexities
  • No Weeknight Conflict Between Upward Practice and School Events, Homework, and Bedtime
  • Less Missed Practices Resulting In More Teaching Continuity
  • Immediate Opportunity to Apply Practice Learning to Game Play



3rd-4th Grade and 5th-6th Grade Boys and Girls Divisions


Practices for the 3rd-4th and 5th-6th Divisions will be on Thursday or Friday evenings only and will be one-hour in length. Games for these divisions will be on Saturday afternoons. Games begin every hour on the hour.


The 5th-6th Grade Boys and Girls Divisions will have season-ending tournaments on the final game day.



All Divisions


We observed how much players enjoyed being able to play on the same team with a friend/buddy. We are going to continue to allow players to make friend requests and will do our best to honor them; we cannot guarantee granting them, if they do not allow us to maintain fair balance between teams. Please note: friend requests are limited to pairs and both players must request each other. Friend requests should be submitted using the Carpool Link.






League Schedule (Practice times/windows will be determined based on number of teams):

  • Nov 10-12, 2022 - Practice Only
  • Nov 17-19, 2022 - Practice and Game 1
  • Nov 24-26, 2022 - No Practices/Games: Thanksgiving
  • Dec 1-3, 2022 - Practice and Game 2
  • Dec 8-10, 2022 - Practice and Game 3
  • Dec 15-17, 2022 - Practice and Game 4
  • Dec 22-24, 2022- No Practices/Games: Christmas
  • Dec 29-Dec 31, 2022 - No Practices/Games: New Year’s Eve
  • Jan 5-7, 2023 - Practice and Game 5
  • Jan 12-14, 2023 - Practice and Game 6
  • Jan 19-21, 2023 - Practice and Game 7
  • Jan 26-28, 2023 - Practice and Game 8 / 5-6 Tournament
  • February 4, 2023 - Awards Program (All Teams/Divisions)



Questions? Contact Laurie Cessna.