sports@standard-democrat.com
CHARLESTON -- The Charleston Lady Bluejays basketball team will once again be doing their part to raise money and awareness for cancer.
On Saturday, the Lady Bluejays will be one of 12 teams participating in their annual Coaches vs. Cancer Shootout at Charleston High School.
"We're really excited about it," Charleston head coach Josh Thompson said. "I feel like we have a really good lineup of games and we have some teams that have really taken some initiative and have helped raise money and awareness for cancer, which is what we're trying to do.
In years past, the shootout has donated proceeds to the American Cancer Society. This year, however, Charleston will be giving all money raised to the St. Francis Foundation.
"They're a little bit more closer to home," Thompson said about the St. Francis Foundation. "People who can't afford cancer screening, the St. Francis Foundation picks it up."
The Lady Bluejays took it upon themselves to search for sponsors and donations from businesses around the community of Charleston to help with concessions and general donations in running a shootout.
"We've went out as a team and have gotten some things donated for the concession stand and we've also had some businesses from Charleston solicit funds," Thompson said. "Every penny that walks through the door will be donated to the St. Francis Foundation."
Games will start at 11 a.m. with Greenville and South Pemiscot squaring off first. Delta will take on Portageville at 12:30 p.m. while East Prairie faces Woodland at 2 p.m. The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs will battle the New Madrid County Central Lady Eagles at 3:30 p.m. At 5 p.m., Carbondale, Ill., will travel west to play Poplar Bluff.
Charleston will end the slate of games by hosting Twin Rivers at 6:30 p.m.
"We've had a lot of people here at Charleston that have been touched in some way by cancer," Thompson added. "Everybody has been affected by cancer and we're just trying to do our part."
"They're a little bit more closer to home," Thompson said about the St. Francis Foundation. "People who can't afford cancer screening, the St. Francis Foundation picks it up."
The Lady Bluejays took it upon themselves to search for sponsors and donations from businesses around the community of Charleston to help with concessions and general donations in running a shootout.
"We've went out as a team and have gotten some things donated for the concession stand and we've also had some businesses from Charleston solicit funds," Thompson said. "Every penny that walks through the door will be donated to the St. Francis Foundation."
Games will start at 11 a.m. with Greenville and South Pemiscot squaring off first. Delta will take on Portageville at 12:30 p.m. while East Prairie faces Woodland at 2 p.m. The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs will battle the New Madrid County Central Lady Eagles at 3:30 p.m. At 5 p.m., Carbondale, Ill., will travel west to play Poplar Bluff.
Charleston will end the slate of games by hosting Twin Rivers at 6:30 p.m.
"We've had a lot of people here at Charleston that have been touched in some way by cancer," Thompson added. "Everybody has been affected by cancer and we're just trying to do our part."