Thomas County Central High School recently shot hoops to promote healthy hearts. The school held a student/faculty basketball game to raise funds for the American Heart Association.
TCCHS Principal Trista Jones describes the event as a fun gathering for a good cause.
“Other schools have hosted Jump Rope for Heart for years,” Jones said. “We had experimented with a few different ideas to raise our own funds that didn’t really catch on. Three years ago we came up with this idea, and it has been a fun way to include the entire school in supporting the AHA. I especially like that it involves a heart-healthy activity.”
Leonard Guyton, a TCCHS assistant principal, organized the event. Any teacher or coach could join the faculty team; however, student team slots were reserved for seniors. Both male and female students participated.
Cedric Robinson played guard on the student team.
“It’s fun competing against the teachers,” he said. “They talk a lot of trash, and we get to hush them up. I enjoyed scoring and putting moves on my coaches. After I scored, me and my classmates celebrated, and it felt good after the game to say nobody scored on me. I [also] felt good knowing that I was helping other people and doing something I like to do. It was a win-win situation.”
The game is an entertaining and lively experience for everyone involved, from the audience to the teams on the court.
“This event is competitive, and the team members enjoy ‘trash talking’ each other prior to the game,” Jones said. “When they get out there, everyone cheers for both teams, and it is really fun to play and to watch.”
Featuring a few surprising shots and an atmosphere of supportive sportsmanship, the game ended with a faculty win of 44-30. The Army National Guard sponsors the trophy presented to the winning team.
“This is one of those events that create lifelong memories for everyone involved,” Jones said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to have fun together for a good cause.”
TCCHS has increased its donation from this fundraiser each year. TCCHS donated approximately $500 last year. A final tally for this year's event is still being tabulated, but organizers hope to surpass last year's amount.