The actual purpose of LDS Church basketball is to "foster brotherly love," said producer Dave Hunter. But, according to Hunter and Hale, profanity and fights in church basketball games have evolved into legends that rival the myths of ancient Greece.

"I had no idea how seriously it was taken or how big a sport it was," said Willard, who has worked in Utah before (he shot a TV show at the Osmond Studios in Orem years ago).

He said he was fascinated at the level of violence in the game. "You watch fists flying, and you realize it's not as clean and pure as you thought."

The players go through some kind of a personality change when they step onto the court, said Hale. "These are good religious people, and then on Thursday they turn completely different."

All for a plastic trophy.

Hale admits that "Church Ball" makes fun of people who take themselves too seriously. It's part of human nature. And that, he says, is why the film works.

"Church Ball" is scheduled for a theatrical release in the middle of basketball season next January.

---

E-mail: jharrison@desnews.com