Coaches v. Cancer Game Raises $1.3K
The Huntington girls' basketball program raised more than $1,300 during the Blue Devils' Coaches vs. Cancer game against visiting Comsewogue. The initiative is supported by coaches and teams across the county.
The event featured pre-game and in-game activities. "We contacted the Comsewogue coaching staff and informed them of what we would be doing," said Marissa Bergmann, Blue Devil assistant coach. "They were excited to take part in the festivities."
Players on both teams wore pink Coaches vs. Cancer t-shirts during warm-ups. On the back their respective shirt, each player inscribed the name of an individual who has been stricken with cancer that they were playing for.
Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that empowers basketball coaches, their teams and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer.
The event a "huge success," said Mike Kaplan, Huntington's head coach. Many local businesses contributed raffle items or donated goods that were sold, including Crazy Yogurt, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, DGB Landscaping, Power of One Health and Fitness, Lion in the Sun, Aromatherapy, Hand and Stone Massage, Nail Salon, Ferns, Lu-Hi Summer Programs and Northsport Athletic Facility.
As they did last year, the J. Taylor Finley Middle School seventh and eighth grade teams were at the game, wearing white and pink Huntington basketball t-shirts and playing scrimmage games at halftime of the varsity contest. "We really like to get everyone in the Huntington basketball program involved," Bergmann said.
The week required several weeks of planning and assistance from countless individuals. "I personally want to thank all our varsity and JV parents who helped through out the night," Bergmann said. "The support we received from parents, players and community members was outstanding."
This is the second year the Blue Devil girls' basketball program has signed onto the initiative and it raised more money this time around than in 2011. "The Huntington community is so generous and caring and because of that I know we are going to raise a great deal of money for this great cause in the future," Bergmann said. "The basketball program is really looking forward to participating in this event each season."