A great game for a good cause

The Senath-Hornersville Middle School (SHMS) Lady Lions were "in the pink" in more ways than one on Tuesday night, as they took on Portageville in their annual "Hoops for Hope" game, to benefit Misty's Mission.

Both schools' seventh and eighth grade teams took to the Hornersville court in pink socks and pink headbands, in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. "I have never seen so much pink in one spot," said Staci Cripe, a cancer survivor and guest of Kimberly Westmorlan, a SHMS cheerleader. "I'm always so amazed at the support from this little town."

The "Hoops for Hope" event has been scheduled in coordination with the school's "Pink Out Day" fundraiser, for the past several years. The evening game rounded out the day's activities, which featured students, staff and family all sporting some form of pink, from hair to nails to shirts to hats. The teams even played with pink basketballs. The event also included a silent auction, featuring the donations of two autographed, pink basketballs. One was signed by Nashville recording star and Kennett native, David Nail. The other was signed by the southern rock band, Black Jack Billy, out of Nashville, which is fronted by another Kennett native, Noll Billings. Other auction items included a large pink wreath, donated by Hornersville Police Chief JoBeth Patterson; a lion painting, created by SHMS student Ashley Lange; and two, custom-designed "Haunted" pink tee-shirts, along with four tickets to the Hornersville Fire Department's (HFD) upcoming "Haunted House' event, compliments of HFD.

During the game, even the concession stand got in on the act, by selling pink, strawberry-flavored popcorn. While admission to the game was free, donations to Misty's Mission were encouraged. The Senath-based non-profit was founded in honor of Misty Edmonston, who lost her battle to breast cancer in 2010. It helps both men and women suffering from the disease. The event raised $2,000 for Misty's Mission.

The seventh grade game was an exciting one, as the teams battled back and forth for the lead. At the buzzer, the final score was SHMS 27, Portageville, 23. At half-time, between the two games, the SHMS cheerleaders took to the floor for a routine that recognized survivors who are currently fighting breast cancer, or had battled it in the past. Each of the cheerleaders had asked the survivors to attend the evening's event, as their guest. While the girls recited their cheer, they held up individual pink signs honoring them.

After half-time, as the eighth grade teams hit the court, the SHMS Lady Lions burst through a large, pink hoop, trimmed with the traditional breast cancer awareness pink ribbons. The Lady Lions were slow to take the lead in the first period, and by the third, were still trailing, 12 to 15, with 1:35 remaining on the clock. The crowd cheered with exhilaration in the fourth period, as the Lady Lions stole the ball and blocked Portageville baskets. They battled to a 21-20 lead and hung on to win, 29-25.