For over two decades, the Smoky Valley Home Educators (SVHE) basketball program has been offering homeschooled students in the Salina area a unique opportunity to combine faith, sports, and education.
The program, which began in 1996, has grown significantly over the years in the local sports community.
John Donley, the athletic director for SVHE Basketball, emphasizes the program's core mission: "We have been given a great opportunity to provide a Christian-based sports team to help these young athletes glorify God and his Son, Jesus Christ," he states.
While coordinating practices and events around diverse family schedules poses challenges, Donley notes that these are minimal compared to the program's larger purpose. "One of the main advantages of the program is that we are given the ability to show ourselves and others that sports can be used in a manner to help young men and women grow into good, Christian citizens," he explains.
The SVHE teams have made significant strides in recent years. The high school girls' team has claimed a championship at their end-of-year tournament, which attracts teams from across the central United States. Last year, they finished second after a close overtime loss in the finals.
The program's growth is evident in its tournaments. The annual event now includes over 60 teams at the junior high and high school levels, while the end-of-year tournament has expanded to feature more than 80 teams. These events, now held at the Salina Fieldhouse, have become significant contributors to the local economy.
SVHE teams primarily compete against other homeschool or non-accredited schools but have also participated in tournaments with KSHSAA (Kansas State High School Activities Association) schools. "The past few years, we have won some tournaments against public schools at the high school level. All in all, I would say we have been very competitive with those teams," Donley reports.
The program's impact extends beyond the court. Officials have praised the positive atmosphere at SVHE games and tournaments, with one official even donating his mileage check to the team that traveled the farthest at a recent tournament.
For the student-athletes, SVHE basketball offers more than just athletic competition. "Our student athletes are given the opportunity to learn how to apply Christian principles in competition," Donley explains. "It also helps them grow in a team atmosphere and learn the challenges and opportunities that come from working together to achieve a shared goal."
As the SVHE basketball program continues to evolve, it remains committed to its founding principles of combining faith, sports, and homeschooling, providing a unique athletic experience for Salina's homeschooled students.
