KO Lady Eagles ‘Jam the Gym’ Tonight

When they Lady Eagles basketball teams take on Steel Valley tonight, they’re hoping to win more than just a game.

Although tonight’s game is a big deal on its own—it has playoff implications, so a win is especially important—girls basketball booster treasurer Colleen Xenakis said the team wanted to do something special to fill the gym.

“We were trying to do more,” Xenakis said. “Instead of fundraising for us, we wanted to do more fundraisers for causes.”

Tonight’s game will be a Pink Out Night, and proceeds from events at the game will benefit breast cancer research.

Last year, a group in Green Tree held a fundraiser to collect necessities for troops overseas. That’s where the idea for the fundraiser came from, she said, and although the team had lots of ideas, they settled on a cause that hits close to home.

The mother of a junior varsity basketball coach is living with breast cancer, Xenakis said, and Xenakis’ own mother-in-law is a survivor. 

“This one feels a little bit close to home, so we figured ‘Yes, lets do this,’” she said. “It will be good for the girls to give back, and they’re taking off with it.”

Team members are wearing pink t-shirts, pink socks and pink beads at school today. Special events at the game include a 50/50 raffle. The team also will raffle off two Penguins tickets, and will sell breast cancer awareness bracelets.

Monetary donations will be accepted at both the junior varsity and varsity games. Contributions and proceeds from sales will be donated to breast cancer research.

A Half-Court Shoot Out will be held at half time. Donations are requested to participate, and 50 percent of shoot-out proceeds will be donated for research.

Those attending tonight’s game are encouraged to wear pink—and of course, to come prepared to cheer the Lady Eagles to victory.

If you’re going:

• What: KO basketball against Steel Valley and ‘Jam the Gym’ fundraiser for breast cancer research
• When: Thursday, Jan. 26
• Time: JV game at 6 p.m., varsity game at 7 p.m.
• Where: Keystone Oaks High School gymnasium