MICDS partnered with John Burroughs School to plan the annual Coaches vs. Cancer basketball games on February 8. The Coaches vs. Cancer games are always a highlight for MICDS students, and this year marked the third time our School partnered with JBS on this important fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
Head Athletic Trainer Stacey Morgan spearheaded the event and got students in the spirit by selling specially-designed Coaches vs. Cancer t-shirts the week before the games. Proceeds from the shirts went towards the overall donation. Her efforts worked: the gym was a sea of pink last Friday night as the boys and girls varsity basketball players took on the Bombers, and students from across the school community cheered on the two teams. Graham Bundy Jr. ’19, one of the student organizers, said, “It is awesome to see younger kids at these events because it gives them something to look forward to.”
The girls’ game was exciting to watch. They fought hard and prevailed, to enormous cheers from the crowd. Girls Varsity Coach and Head of Upper School Scott Small said, “We were really proud of our girls. It was a back and forth game and we were trailing by three at the end of regulation with about 20 seconds left. Jessica Brooks ’20 hit a huge three-pointer to tie the game at the end of regulation and the team, led by Krysten Holmes ’19, found a way to win in an exciting overtime.” Later, the boys played with heart but fell to the Bombers. Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Matt Hixenbaugh said, “The growth of the Paint it Pink game through the years is always a highlight of our season. This game is a prime example of how you can use your passion, in this case, basketball, to benefit a larger issue. While we compete to achieve success on the court, seeing the entire community get behind Paint it Pink allows us to put the results of a game in perspective.”
MICDS also celebrated its Class of 2019 basketball student athletes by Senior Night to the event. Seniors were honored and thanked their parents for support.
Between the t-shirt sales and donations made the night of the event, the MICDS community will donate $4,800 to the local chapter of the American Cancer Society. Over the past several years, MICDS has raised more than $200,000 to fight cancer through the Coaches vs. Cancer games and other special events.