Central to Host Coaches vs. Cancer Hoops Event
There will be five high school basketball games played on Saturday at Central Regional High School and while the outcome is important to the participating teams it will be a winning day no matter what when it comes to fighting cancer.
The 4th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Showcase was the brainchild of Golden Eagles coach Mike Clemente and just months after the inaugural event in January of 2017 it really hit close to home when the young coach was diagnosed with Primary Mediastinal Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Clemente would undergo extensive chemotherapy at Monmouth Medical Center and with support from his family and friends he was successful in defeating the disease. It also resulted in him having even greater passion in the fight against cancer and the showcase has donated over $45,000 over the first three years.
This year’s event will benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research which of course was created by ESPN and the late coach Jim Valvano with one goal…to achieve Victory over Cancer! All cash donations raised for the foundation go to cancer research and since its inception, more than $250 million has been given in grants for research to beat this dreaded disease.
The basketball schedule on Saturday at CRHS:
11:00- Donovan Catholic vs Eastern
12:30- Freehold Township vs Woodbridge
2:00- Mater Dei Prep vs CBA
3:30- Central Regional vs St. Joseph, Hammonton
5:00- Toms River North vs Wall
(This game will be streamed live by the Shore Sports Network)
Those attending Saturday will find several ways to assist in the fundraising effort. You can also make a direct donation through THIS LINK.
Coaches vs. Cancer is a national program that empowers coaches, teams and communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer. As Valvano famously said, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” To Mike Clemente those are more than just words…they are how he lives.
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