BASKETBALL FOR OUTREACH: CHEWALLA BASKETBALL LEAGUE

The most successful youth sports league in McNairy County in the past five years is the Chewalla Basketball League. Chewalla Baptist Church has sponsored the league that has attracted players from four counties in the area.

Chewalla Baptist had completed a large remodeling job in 2013 that included a new gym when the idea for a league came together . Church leaders decided to begin the children’s basketball league as a way to reach the community.

“We did not want to just have a league for our church members,” said CBC pastor Bro. Richard Doyle. The preacher has been at the church for over 20 years and knew sports would be a good way to attract parents and children to join the league.

Chewalla began the league in 2014 and the numbers have grown every year. The league had 192 players or cheerleaders from age 5 through 6th Grade this past year. The surprising thing is more than 40 percent of those in the league came from outside the church.

Ross Shelton, a former McNairy Central standout athlete, was chosen as the director and has worked many hours to run the league. Adam & Meg Day, Avon & Belinda Shelton, Jeremy & Holly Whitten, Will & Megan Shelton, Brandi Wardlow, David Johnson, Wes & Sarah Beth Dotson, Chris & Adrianne Whitten, Paige Teague, Logan & Lacey Chappell, Joey & Heather Whitten, Kayce Howard, and Eric Holcombe are just a few that have helped to build the league as coaches and other roles.

The church made sure the players learned not only about basketball, but about the Gospel. When the teams practice, they hear a devotion during their break about Jesus.

“We did not want any child leaving without hearing the Gospel,” said Bro. Richard. “Our goal is to have no player or cheerleader leave our league without knowing we love them and Jesus loves them.”

Shelton said church members had made it plain they did not want a child turned away because they could not pay the entry fee. He said people give money to help cover the fee for any child that does not have the money.

The league plays on Saturdays during January and February. CBC believes the league has been a success and the feedback from parents has been positive, especially from those outside the church.

If your child has not been a part of the league in the past, there will be information on Chewalla’s Facebook page this fall and forms are given out at each elementary school in the county.

(Story submitted by Jeff York of Chewalla, TN.)