Vikings Stop Bobcats In Final Two Seconds of Game

Apollo Ridge Vikings stopped the Elderton Bobcats in the final two seconds of the game. With less than 10 seconds to go Lauren Schultheis made two foul shots to put the Lady Bobcats ahead by one, but # 32 Lexie Orlowski, came back with in the final 2 seconds to make the winning basket, with a final score of 43-42. Asley Emminger, #44, shown here had a team high of 15 points, and Lauren Schultheis, # 15, also scored a team high, and personal season high of 20 points for the Bobcats. The entire game was fast paced, with the score tied at 22 at the end of the 2nd quarter. Apollo Ridge hosted their “Pink Out” night, raising money for the American Cancer Society.

Elderton ‘Pink Out’ Benefits Cancer Society

Shown during a team timeout last night, the home team wore pink socks for the game to show their support and pink T-shirts for warm-ups.

by Jonathan Weaver

Even though the Elderton Boys’ Basketball team lost their conference match-up last night, a national non-profit will still win.

Tuesday’s game was the annual basketball ‘Pink Out,’ where players, coaches and fans were encouraged to wear pink clothing to support breast cancer awareness. Proceeds from last night’s event will benefit the American Cancer Society as donated by the ‘Angels of Hope’ Relay for Life team this summer in Ford City.

Team Captain Joanne Hagofsky has been involved with the team for the past few years and said several Elderton school sports teams have a ‘pink out’ for the American Cancer Society, the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure or other charities during their respective seasons.

“We do what we can to help other people and help with the research and education,” Hagofsky said.

L-R: Lori Lesher, Joanne Hagofsky, Cindy Walker and Connie Cloak all helped turn the Elderton High School gymnasium pink last night during the boys' basketball team's annual 'Pink Out.' Proceeds from last night's loss goes toward the 'Angels of Hope' Relay for Life team for the American Cancer Society.

Hagofsky – who is a breast cancer survivor– said four members of the Relay team  helped sell T-shirts, Chinese auction tickets, 75/25 tickets – where 75 percent of the proceeds go toward the American Cancer Society – and food sales. Approximately $100 was made through the 75/25 ticket sales and $150 in T-shirt sales.

T-shirts were worn by student athletes during their warm-ups and also worn by coaches and statisticians. Students also wore socks there were dyed pink for the game.

She said the crowd at the game contributed toward the team’s $5,000 goal. An estimated $7,000 was raised last year between several fundraising opportunities.

“We didn’t have a very big crowd here, but every little bit helps and goes to cancer education and research,” Hagofsky said.

Also the basketball boosters’ president, Hagofsky attends most of the boys’ games due to her son – Senior Point Guard Brandon Hagofsky – and sees support for the sports team and the Relay team from all who participate. Concession sales help keep attendance.

“We seem to do a lot better with concessions when its here on the stage so the people can sit here and eat and watch during the game because typically you aren’t allowed food and drinks in the gym, which deterred people from buying when we were in the lobby because there was no where to sit, Hagofsky said.

“We have a pretty good group of parents that always contribute to all of our drawings,” Hagofsky said.

Senior Forward Fred Laird encouraged participation in the event.

“It’s very important to show support of anyone in a cancer situation,” Laird said. “It really livens up the crowd, because more people come in when there are events like this.”

After the 82-47 loss Tuesday, the team has six more games before their season ends February 13.

The next fundraiser for ‘Angels of Hope’ will be a dance this Friday, February 3 at the Towne Hall in Elderton. Music by “13 Stories” – an `80’s rock band with Elderton High School Class of 1986 Grad Dave Batistig– will be played.

The event begins at 7PM with the band playing from 8:30-11PM. Food and refreshments will be available, as well as many prizes to win.

 “Hopefully we’ll raise a lot of money for our Relay team Friday also,” Hagofsky said.

For information on purchasing $10 tickets, call 724-543-3333 or 724-545-6346.

Elderton’s Jillian Glover attempts to prevent West Shamokin’s Danielle Smith from receiving the ball, in Monday night's Girls Varsity Basketball Game. Pink was worn by players, cheerleaders, coaches and family members to honor “Pink Out” night by participating in basket raffles and fifty-fifty drawings to donate funds to the American Cancer Society. Elderton won the game 47 to 21. Elderton’s Lauren Schultheis had a game high of 16 points, and Kelly Clowser had 7 points for West Shamokin. (photo by Judy Schultheis)