The Cochrane Cobras girls' basketball teams will be playing for more than just points this evening.
After a two-year, COVID-caused hiatus, Cochrane High School's annual Hoops for a Cure basketball fundraiser is returning to the Cobradome on Feb. 9. As part of the initiative, proceeds from the Cobras' junior-varsity and senior girls' home games this evening against the W.H. Croxford Cavaliers will support Kids Cancer Care – an Alberta-based charity that is devoted to helping families fight pediatric cancers.
The yearly initiative started in 2016, after a Cochrane High student was diagnosed with cancer, and ran until 2020. Tonight's Hoops for a Cure will be the first one since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic nearly three years ago.
Grade 12 student-athlete Brooklyn Veckenstedt, who has played for the Cobras girls' basketball teams throughout her four years at the school and is a forward with the senior girls' team, said her older sister previously organized Hoops for a Cure, and she is excited to follow in those footsteps.
"We really just wanted to keep the tradition alive and get surrounding communities involved and showing their support for this worthwhile cause,” she said.
“Everyone is affected by cancer in some capacity, so we really want to encourage people to come support the cause and raise money for Kids Cancer Care."
According to Grade 12 Cochrane High student leadership program member Caitlyn Rost, who is also helping organize the charity initiative, entry to this evening's games will be by donation.
In addition, Rost said attendees will be able to enter a raffle draw for door prizes, which will be announced at half-time of the two games, alongside other entertainment. Proceeds from the ticket sales and raffle draw will go toward Kids Cancer Care.
For the senior girls' team, this evening's game will also be exciting because it will be against an unbeaten opponent – the W.H. Croxford Cavaliers are currently at the top of the Rocky View Sports Association standings with a 4-0 regular-season record. The Cobras are in third with a 3-1 record.
Both Cochrane and Croxford have also won a few tournaments this season, meaning tonight's match-up will be a battle between two divisional heavyweights.
Veckenstedt said she expects a good match-up, and hopes local sports fans from both Cochrane and Airdrie will attend the game in droves. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. this evening for the junior-varsity game and 7:45 p.m. for the seniors.
“We’re hoping to have a really big [turnout], not only from Cochrane High, but also from Croxford as well,” Veckenstedt said.
“Everyone is affected by cancer in some capacity, so we really want to encourage people to come support this cause and raise money for Kids Cancer Care."
