Six years ago, the Rev. Dave Havener had a gymnasium and an edict.

Make use of the space.

"We looked and said, 'What are we going to do here,'" Havener said.

So, Havener, a pastor at Mars Alliance Church, formed a basketball league for youth in the area.

When it started, there were only 80 players enrolled.

Seven years later, Glade Run United Presbyterian Church in Middlesex Township has teamed up with Mars Alliance to form the South Butler UPWARD Basketball League.

UPWARD is a national evangelistic sports ministry that assists community churches in running a variety of sporting events, including basketball leagues.

It offers uniforms and other services.

The South Butler league, which is accepting registrations for the upcoming season, is 480 players strong.

That's a lot of youngsters to keep track of.

"UPWARD helps make us look organized," said league director Jan Hogue, laughing. "I do the best I can. We have a lot of volunteers who help a lot. We have a lot of practice at it. I think, too, by the grace of God things run smoothly."

"It really does keep us on our toes," Havener said. "And on our knees, praising God."

Both churches have regulation-size basketball courts. As many as four games can be played in each location at any given time.

The league's main focus is to teach basketball skills and character.

No standings are kept. Scores are kept, but Havener said the players don't pay much attention to it.

"The games are competitive, but we don't keep track of team standings," Havener said. "That tends to put extra pressure on the kids. They just want to play and have fun."

Players from kindergarten through eighth grade participate in the league. They are placed on teams based on evaluation tryouts, which will be held this year from Oct. 3 to 7.

A computer program run by UPWARD places the players on each team based on the evaluations.

"It helps keep the teams balanced," Hogue said.

Each player on each team is guaranteed equal playing time.

Havener had no idea the league would grow so much when he started it in 1999.

"It's very encouraging to me," Havener said. "What we try to teach is that every child is a winner."

Some of the players who are now too old to play in the league have come back to coach.

Hogue's son, Andy, is one of them.

"That's always wonderful to see," Havener said.

Hogue said the main reason the league has grown so much is the buzz it has created.

The league has launched extensive advertising campaigns in the past, with print ads and flyers strung all around the community.

"When I got involved, we advertised in the newspaper and got signs out," Hogue said. "But most of it has been because of word of mouth."

Havener isn't looking too far into the future. If the league continues to grow, he said he would find a way to accommodate the new players.

"We'll just keep plugging away," Havener said.

The registration deadline is Oct. 2. Cost is $60 per child. Late registration will be accepted until Oct. 7 at a cost of $85 per child.

Practices begin Nov. 28 and will be held once a week. Games, which will be played on eight consecutive Saturdays, begin Jan. 7.

Registration forms can be found online at www.gladerunchurch.org or www.marsalliance.org.

Registration forms can also be picked up in the welcome centers of each church.