Charles Rice Learning Center Wins Back-to-Back Basketball Titles

Elementary school's sports program returns after 17-year hiatus, leading to success on the court.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:13am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into overlapping, angular shapes in a vibrant color palette, capturing the energy and movement of the sport.The Charles Rice Learning Center basketball teams' back-to-back championship victories reflect the power of investing in youth sports programs to foster community, teamwork, and athletic excellence.Dallas Today

The Charles Rice Learning Center in South Dallas has won back-to-back Dallas Independent School District elementary basketball championships, with both the boys and girls teams emerging victorious. The school's sports program had been dormant for 17 years due to a lack of coaches, but was revived four years ago, allowing the students to excel not only in basketball and track, but also in working together as a team to achieve their goals.

Why it matters

The success of the Charles Rice Learning Center's basketball teams highlights the importance of investing in youth sports programs, especially in underserved communities. The renewed sports program has not only fostered athletic achievement, but also a sense of community and teamwork among the students.

The details

The boys team defeated Albert C. Black STEAM Academy 31-17 in the championship game, while the girls team beat Mockingbird Elementary School 13-8. Coach Glen Upshaw praised the support of the school's parents, describing the environment as 'family-oriented.' The elementary school had not had a sports program for 17 years due to a lack of coaches, but the program's return four years ago has allowed the students to excel not only in basketball and track, but also in working together to achieve their goals.

  • The Charles Rice Learning Center boys and girls basketball teams won their respective Dallas Independent School District elementary basketball championships on April 6, 2026.
  • The school's sports program had been dormant for 17 years before being revived four years ago.

The players

Glen Upshaw

Coach of the boys basketball team at Charles Rice Learning Center.

Mahzi Lee

A fifth-grade student at Charles Rice Learning Center who played in the championship game.

Kynlee Brown

A fifth-grade student at Charles Rice Learning Center who played in the championship game.

Chandler Upshaw

A pre-K cheerleader at Charles Rice Learning Center who cheered for her team during the championship game.

Albert C. Black STEAM Academy

The boys basketball team that lost to Charles Rice Learning Center in the championship game.

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What they’re saying

“The game was packed. We got a great set of parents, man, they do anything and everything to see these kids succeed in sports and in academics.”

— Glen Upshaw, Coach of the boys basketball team

The takeaway

The success of the Charles Rice Learning Center's basketball teams demonstrates the positive impact that investing in youth sports programs can have, especially in underserved communities. The renewed program has not only fostered athletic achievement, but also a sense of community and teamwork among the students.