About The Tournament
This tournament was founded in 1977 to serve youth who are members of and active participants in United
Methodist Churches in South Carolina. It also provides for those United Methodists who cannot play with
their schools a chance to participate in basketball. In 2002 a Worship Service was added with all teams
playing at a central location.
If a Single United Methodist church can not field a team, that Church may combine with another United
Methodist Church for the purpose of fielding a Team. It is Highly suggested that small Churches use this
avenue if that Church has a shortage of Youth to field a team. All Youth in The South Carolina Conference
are invited to play by this process.
WHO CAN PLAY FROM MY CHURCH?
A Youth who is a member of the church can play. (Guidelines III, B, 1-6)
A Youth who is an active participant of the church can play. Active participation is defined as someone who
attends worship service, UMYF or Sunday school at least twice per month beginning November 1, 2014. Only
the above-mentioned activities can qualify an active participant. (Guidelines III, B, 1 and 2)
A participant in the junior division cannot have reached their 15th birthday before the preceding September
1, and must be enrolled in school or Home Schooled as of January 1 of the Tournament year. (Guidelines, III,
B, 6,a)
A participant in the senior division cannot have reached their 19th birthday before the preceding September
1, and must be enrolled in school or Home Schooled as of January 1 of the Tournament year. (Guidelines, III,
B, 6,b)
All players will be required to supply proof of identity and birth date at the tournament. ID's will be checked
before they can play. A driver's license will suffice and, for Junior Highs, a school photo ID and a birth
certificate will be accepted.
WE HAVE KIDS WHO PLAYED SCHOOL BALL THIS YEAR AND THEIR SEASON IS OVER! THEY CAN PLAY,
RIGHT?
A kid cannot have played the current academic year on their Middle School, C Team, Junior Varsity or Varsity
school team. If a kid makes their school team and appears on the school team roster, he or she cannot
participate in the Tournament. (Guidelines, III, B, 4)
BUT THEIR SCHOOL COACH SAID THEY CAN PLAY!!
The High School rules governing where school players can play have changed lately. The SC Methodist
Tournament rules have not changed. This tournament is only for those who cannot play for their school.
I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PLAYERS FROM MY CHURCH BUT I DO HAVE SOME WHO WANT TO PLAY?
The tournament allows for United Methodist churches to combine when one church does not have enough
for a team. (Guidelines, III, A, 3 and 4) In fact, three churches can combine in some instances. A two points
or three-point charge is considered to be one church/charge and is on the same level with a single church. If
you would need help to combine to form a team, contact your Area Coordinator.
Kids who are younger can play "up" in an older division. A kid can play in his/her division and also play "up"
in an older division if his/her name appears on both rosters. Co-ed teams are not allowed.
Exceptions to the above rules for the purpose of combining churches to form a team can be registered by
filling out an appeal form by January 9. There will no appeals granted if they are not submitted by the above
date.
WHEN ARE THE MONEY AND FEES DUE?
All money rosters, active participant forms and appeal forms are due by the posted dates on the web-site
each year.
IS THERE ANY OTHER COSTS?
Each church is responsible for its own lodging and meals.Programs will be sold at the gyms, which will be $3
each. These programs will contain the overall schedule for all games, ads that may provide discounts for
meals and personal ads for individual players. There is a gate fee for all spectators of $3 per person,
excluding coaches and the players who are playing in that gym. Once you pay in one gym, you do not pay
again for that day if you receive a hand stamp.
The greatest purpose of this tournament is to provide the United Methodist youth of this conference an
opportunity to worship, meet and compete together in fellowship brought about by the love of Jesus Christ.