As basketball season has begun, many competitive players try out and hope to find a spot on their high school team. However, many people wish to play the sport for fun and did not have an opportunity this year. Hoops for Hope was a charity basketball tournament that raised money for pediatric patients fighting cancer and usually occurs every November. Senior Caroline Sorcher was a part of the committee that helped organize Hoops for Hope. 

“It involved a three day tournament where students took to the court dressed in creative costumes,” Sorcher said. “The week was filled with fun, music, prizes and lots of fundraising through entrance fees for the tournament.”

As much as the event was about fun and games, it had a deeper meaning behind it. Past all of the good memories students made with their friends, their effort to join the event brought a change. 

“What I miss most about Hoops for Hope is having a school event that had such inclusiveness for the student body,” Sorcher said. “You did not have to be a superstar athlete to compete and help others while doing so; it recruited kids from all activities and sports across the school.”

Despite all of the support the event received from the student body, it did not happen this year since the club lost their sponsor. Students were disappointed they were unable to participate as this was a common outlet for many friend groups. 

“What I miss most about Hoops for Hope is having a school event that had such inclusiveness for the student body,” Sorcher said. “My favorite memory was being able to host this event post COVID, it was so exciting to resume planning and executing something fun again.”

Although Hoops for Hopes is not occurring this year, there are still multiple other opportunities for students to donate to charities through grade-level contests or school-sponsored events. The school continues to help out the community more and more each year and many hope Hoops for Hope returns soon. 

“Hoops for Hope was always unique in that it represented ‘kids helping kids’,” Sorcher said. “Kids felt a connection to participating in this event because they knew they were making a difference in these families’ lives.”