Boyson said LDS Church ball has been the brunt of jokes, and some members were afraid to come out and play, including nonmembers to whom the church needs to be extending a hand of friendship.

"We want to create an environment of getting more people out to play church basketball," Boyson said.

More teams now

The sportsmanship program brings out more participants by sending a message to the former basketball "hot heads" who made the game unenjoyable for many, he said.

With the change, Boyson said, the West Weber Region has seen a resurgence in the number of ward teams participating in its annual region tournament. Sixty-one teams competed in the tournament this year, Boyson said, compared to 58 teams last year.

"We even had an official that was a nonmember," he said.

West Point 3rd Ward youth coach Kyle Cunningham said he has seen a "tremendous improvement" in the region's basketball program.

"I think the movie 'Church Ball' gives us a bad rap," he said of the 2006 comedy starring Fred Willard and Gary Coleman.

The coach said scoring teams on sportsmanship has eliminated a lot of the "physicalness" that was taking place in some of the games at the different age levels.

"I think in the past it hasn't been so quality," said Cassie Thomas, wife of Lynn Thomas, who has seen her share of church basketball. "I have seen a change."

Dave Dupaix, 52, of Roy, said church ball is a great activity and the sportsmanship program is improving it.

"I've played it since I was a kid, and have been playing it ever since," Dupaix said, adding he also watches his 13-year-old son Chase play the game now.

"They say it starts with a prayer and ends with a fight," he joked. "But it really doesn't."