The eighth season for Upward Basketball has grown to 392 and 44 teams. Practices have begun and the first games were played January 9th. The first season was 39 players and the program has grown every season.

Upward Basketball is a part of Upward Sports, a national program that includes basketball, soccer, cheer, flag football, and baseball. Upward Sports is a well-structured program that features the child rather than just the game.

According to Ken Friedman, director of Upward Sports at Fair Oaks Presbyterian, parents say that they love the program because their children look forward to practices and games. They really have fun learning the sport. Growth has come primarily due to word of mouth.

Registration for next season begins in September with practices starting in December. For more information, go to www.upward.org.