BENNETTSVILLE —“Come one, come all, and let’s play some ball,” says Bennettsville Councilwoman Caraline Harpe of the youth basketball team her church, First Methodist Church, has been providing area kids for nearly thirty years. She continued, “Honestly, we believe the more the merrier. Whether you have kids or grandkids that play or not, we want you to be a part of this special program. It is truly a community driven, community sponsored league.”
Harpe truly means it — their volunteer staff has a canteen stocked with everything from soda [donated by Pepsi], candy, to restaurant quality meals.
All about the food
“Its great because people can swing by, grab a to-go-plate or just stay and enjoy a game,” says Harpe, reiterating everyone is welcome to attend games and to partake in everything the canteen has to offer — whether you plan on staying for the game or just getting a delicious, hot meal.
The canteen serves more than hot dogs and hamburgers, though they have that too. There is also BBQ, pizza, loaded baked potatoes and chicken bog, just to name a few items.
Harpe says there is no cost to attend games.
Ricky Sheets, who has been involved with the basketball program since its inception, says the idea came from their former minister John Culp.
“He decided we needed a basketball youth program, and he took it and did a really great job with it,” said Sheets.
Though basketball took an unfortunate backseat during COVID, since the league re-started, Heath Harpe has been assisting Sheets with operations.
While the league may have started off modestly over the years it has ballooned to as many as 19 teams with six divisions.
Talking Ball
In the First Methodist Church Youth Basketball League program there is a spot for everyone of every skill level.
“Our six divisions include instructional, beginner’s co-ed, intermediate girls, junior girls, intermediate boys, and junior boys. Our league is not as competitive as some other leagues and is open to experienced and inexperienced players from the age of four all the way up to nineth grade players.
Games are played five nights a week, usually starting at 6 p.m. and finishing by 9 p.m.
Sheet says the league sees players from all over the area: Chesterfield, Cheraw, Rockingham and Laurinburg, and the program counted 167 youth participants at the beginning of this season.
Interested parties can find more information about how to participate in the program via www.firstmethodistbasketball.com or the church Facebook page. Cost of playing is $35 and includes a team jersey.
Thanks for the Memories
Over the nearly thirty years the basketball league has been in operation at First Methodist Church, many players have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into the games played inside the church’s state-of-the-art gymnasium and felt the excitement of their shoes pounding against the court as they gave chase to players from the opposing team.
Many of these former players have chosen to give back, either through volunteering or just by bringing their kids and grandkids to be a part of this very special community and youth-oriented program.
Carol Stanton says both her son and daughter played basketball in the league and her grandchildren Russell and Mariella Stanton play now.
“Youth sports teaches so many great lessons like teamwork and sportsmanship, and it really provides excellent fellowship opportunities for our young people. It is a wonderful program, and I hope to see it continue another thirty years and beyond.”
Current league scorekeeper Cutler Anderson says he played basketball for the program from the time he was in fifth grade until nineth. When he’s not keeping score, Anderson has also been known to fill in as an occasional referee.
“I learned so many valuable lessons playing and I want to pass those same lessons on,” says Anderon who adds he is looking forward to the day when his six-month-old also plays basketball at First Methodist Church.
“It really is impressive to see so many people willing to give of their time year after year. That this is entirely volunteer sponsored says a lot,” said Anderson.
Coach Raymond Sides says he started playing when he was just five years old during the league’s inaugural season.
“It means so much to have been a part of our first season and to now be a coach, it is truly rewarding,” says Sides, pointing out his dad coached him and he now gets to coach his own five-year-old; three generations of basketball.
“There is nothing more rewarding for me than to be recognized as “coach.” To have a child run up to you and call you coach is a magical feeling. It is the highlight of my day when a kid comes over and asks me when basketball is going to start back.”
Sides says the lessons taught through the game are invaluable.
“Through being a part of a team, through depending on each other, kids learn the kind of lessons that translate into adulthood, into everyday life,’ says Sides, adding, “Just as there is a spot for every skill level of player, there are also plenty of spots to volunteer your talents. We are 100% volunteer run so we can always use talented cooks, coaches, scorekeepers, referees, etc., you name it, we could use a volunteer for it.”