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Carole Mikita ReportingThe players push and shove each other, they scream at the referees, and injuries abound -- and this game takes place in a house of worship. It's the sport known as 'Church Ball'. A film by the same name premiers tonight; it's Halestorm Entertainment's latest offering.
This group started with 'Singles' Ward', then 'The R.M.', 'Home Teachers' and more. This movie, however, has a Hollywood cast, a bigger budget and much broader appeal.
Forget about good sportsmanship and brotherly love, to some, basketball is war.
"Guys, this is the last season of church basketball. Oh, no, no way. They say it's too violent. The bishop asked me to take our team to the championship and I told him I would. What! Oh, are you serious?"
Whenever the group of misfits known as the Mudlake team takes to the court, disaster strikes. They have lost every season for the last 20 years. This script appealed to the actors who know, on a personal level, how that feels.
Clint Howard, 'Church Ball': "There was a time when my brother, Ron, coached me and my buddies in park league basketball and, I mean, we could do a comedy about the Howard Hurricanes."
Gary Coleman, 'Church Ball': "Church ball is the outlet for the Mormons to clash. They play like they're gonna get a million dollars at the end. I don't understand it, why kill yourself if you're not gonna get anything for it?(he laughs)"
'Church Ball' ends Halestorms run of films with Latter-day Saint themes with double the usual budget - a million dollars - and actors with Hollywood experience. The group hopes this one will be the best yet.
Kurt Hale, Director, 'Church Ball': "These names, whether they draw box office numbers is one thing, but they, for sure, add some credibility. They'll go, 'Oh, I love Fred Willard' or 'Gary Coleman? Awesome!' You know what I mean?"
'Church Ball' premiers tonight at Jordan Commons in Sandy and opens throughout the state on Friday.
