Brooke Steyer runs through a tunnel of cheerleaders while being introduced for a game at North Main Street Church of God in Butler Township.

BUTLER TWP — More than 100 young children honed their basketball skills Saturday at the North Main Street Church of God.

The games were a part of the Upward sports program, which is a national Christian basketball league, said Justin Miller, who coordinates the program for the church.

The program, which is in its third year at the church, has 114 players from kindergarten to sixth grade, in addition to 14 cheerleaders. Players are divided up into 16 teams.

Miller said the program is open to any child who is interested, whether they belong to the church or not. He said the goal is to help them develop athletically, mentally, socially and spiritually.

“You're playing for a higher purpose,” he said.

Children play on eight Saturday's during winter. This past Saturday was the seventh week. This coming Saturday there will be an awards ceremony.

For the younger children's games, no score is kept because they are just developing their skills. For the older players, the score is kept.Miller said the game features strict man-to-man defense, where the best players on each team are matched up against each other while the players who need more development are matched up with those who are at a similar stage.Miller said it is enjoyable to see children who start at the program with no knowledge of basketball later become solid players.“It's been a great feeder system,” Miller said.This is the third year playing for 7-year-old Andrew Slaugenhoup.“I like playing on offense,” Slaugenhoup said.He said he would like to play against his brother, but his brother is only in kindergarten so they play on different teams. However, he said his friend has a basketball hoop and they play there.Jacob Proudfoot, 7, said his favorite part of playing is scoring. He said he gets to handle the ball a lot. This is his first year in the program, and he enjoys it.

“I just like having fun,” Proudfoot said.His father, Ken Proudfoot, was coaching him. He said the program really helps younger children develop skills.“It's a great learning experience for the kids,” he said.Adam Klutinoty, a Butler native who is in the Christian musical group About A Mile, was on hand to do a halftime devotional. Now living in Nashville, Tenn., he said he was asked to participate by Miller, who used to coach him in football when he was younger.

A boy dribbles the basketball up court during a game.

Sheldon Walters, 9, keeps a ball inbounds during a basketball game at a program for kids called Upward Sports.