Making a change in someone’s life by donating change to fight cancer is this year’s theme for Newton High’s Coaches vs. Cancer basketball fundraiser. Newton High’s annual Coaches vs. Cancer basketball games are Friday when the Cardinal teams host Indianola in Little Hawkeye Conference action.
“Coaches vs. Cancer means a lot to me with my wife going through her battle with cancer, and I lost my grandmother to cancer and one of my sisters just dealt with it this last year,” Newton High girls’ basketball head coach Brandon Sharp said. “This is one of my favorite nights of the year as we raise awareness and funds together to fight this disease.”
“I Can Fight Cancer” T-shirts have been sold as one of the fundraising activities NHS has in place this year in an effort to raise awareness and funds to battle cancer. At two previous home games, fans could shoot 3-point field goals for a $1 donation —any shot made was rewarded with a 2-litter of pop donated by Newton’s Hy-Vee.
Newton High boys’ basketball head coach Bill Liley said cancer has touched almost every family he knows. He said he lost both grandparents to cancer along with family friends.
“I’m stunned in this day and age with all of the science and technology available to us, we have not figured a way to beat this disease,” Liley said. “With Coaches vs. Cancer, we as basketball coaches have taken on this fight. Anything we as coaches and as a team can do to help fight cancer and remove it from our lives, we’re willing to do.”
Newton basketball players are gathering pledges for their 3-point Attack against Cancer as every 3-pointer tallied by the NHS varsity girls and boys against Norwalk on Jan. 10 and on Friday against Indianola raises funds. In the Norwalk games, the Cardinal girls and boys combined to nail 11 3-pointers. They’re are gunning for more in Friday’s games.
Three of those NHS players who can drain 3-pointers are junior Garrett Sturtz and seniors Courtney Jacobsen and Taylor Shipley. Sturtz said Coaches vs. Cancer is a good opportunity to get out for the community and give back for a good cause.
Jacobsen said both of her grandfathers have had cancer so raising money and finding a cure for cancer means a lot to her. Shipley said it is a great cause to raise money for as her grandmother has cancer right now.
In honor of anyone who has survived or is currently battling cancer or anyone who has been taken by this disease, Newton is creating a Colorful Chain Link. NHS Coaches vs. Cancer coordinator Jill Stanton said in one way or another, everyone is linked to this awful disease.
Newton girls’ cross country coach Rachelle Tipton said Coaches vs. Cancer is an opportunity for teams and coaches to give back to the community. It is way rally together to fight against this disease, she said.
“Coaches vs. Cancer means a lot to me as I’ve had a lot of family members pass away from cancer,” NHS player Ali Bestell said. “We can bring awareness and come together to raise money for those in our community who are struggling with cancer.”
At halftime of Friday’s boys varsity game, four people currently fighting cancer will be honored by NHS. Hannah Boecker will sing the song, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” by Martina McBride and the NHS Pacesetters will perform.
“Following the Pacesetter performance, there will be a ‘miracle minute’ where the girls’ basketball team and dancers will run through the stands collecting donations from our loyal fans,” Stanton said.
Newton assistant boys’ coach Tom Weeks has battled cancer since he was a child.
“I’ve dealt with it my whole life, but I’m a four-time cancer survivor. This is a great way for all of us to come together to show the major impact cancer has on our lives and raise money to fight it.”
Newton High Athletic Director Scott Garvis said Coaches vs. Cancer is about raising awareness and money to defeat cancer. Honoring several who are battling helps illustrate how cancer affects us all, he said.
“It’s a great way to give back to our community. It is a cause which affects everyone,” NHS assistant girls’ basketball coach Erick Zehr said. “This is a great national program allowing us to use our platform as a means for good.”
Newton is asking everyone to donate their change this year in support of school’s fundraiser in partnership with the American Cancer Society. Parents of the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams will have a bake sale on Friday night during the games.
All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society. For a tax deduction, checks can be made payable to the American Cancer Society.
Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com