The Charles Rice Learning Center girls basketball team and cheerleaders pose for a group photo after winning the Dallas Independent School District elementary basketball championship on Feb. 11, 2026. The team won the title for the second year in a row. Courtesy of Glen Upshaw
For the second consecutive year, the Charles Rice Learning Center’s girls’ and boys’ basketball teams brought home the Dallas Independent School District Elementary Basketball Champion title.
The championship game was on February 11. The boys’ team was led by Charles Rice alum Glen Upshaw, who played against Albert C. Black STEAM Academy, and the girls’ team was led by Coach Michelle Leggins against Mockingbird Elementary School.
Final score for the girls’ team: 13-8. The boys’ team won 31-17.
The students celebrated their victory alongside their community in South Dallas in a “packed” stadium at the Beckley Saner Recreation Center.
For Upshaw, the support he felt from the community on the night of the game was overwhelming. He described the school as a “family-oriented environment.”
“The game was packed,” Upshaw said. “We got a great set of parents, man, they do anything and everything to see these kids succeed in sports and in academics.”
The elementary school did not have a sports program for 17 years, due to a lack of coaches. The program returned four years ago. Since then, the students have not only excelled in basketball and track, but also in working together to achieve a goal, Upshaw said.
Glen Upshaw, coach of the boys basketball team at Charles Rice Learning Center, observes the game during the Dallas Independent School District elementary basketball championship game. Courtesy of Melvin Douglas Sweats Jr.Mahzi Lee, a fifth grader at Charles Rice Learning Center, plays during the Dallas Independent School District elementary basketball championship game against Albert C. Black STEAM Academy. Courtesy of Melvin Douglas Sweats Jr.Kynlee Brown, a fifth grader at Charles Rice Learning Center, sets her feet and prepares to shoot during the Dallas Independent School District elementary basketball championship game against Mockingbird Elementary School. Courtesy of Melvin Douglas Sweats Jr.Chandler Upshaw, a pre-K cheerleader at Charles Rice Learning Center, cheers for her team during the Dallas Independent School District elementary basketball championship game. Courtesy of Melvin Douglas Sweats Jr.The Charles Rice Learning Center girls basketball team shows off its medals after defeating Mockingbird Elementary School 13-8 in the Dallas Independent School District elementary basketball championship game. Courtesy of Melvin Douglas Sweats Jr.The Charles Rice Learning Center boys basketball team celebrates its victory over Albert C. Black STEAM Academy in the Dallas Independent School District elementary basketball championship game by huddling and raising its trophy. The final score was 31-17. Courtesy of Melvin Douglas Sweats Jr.
