Boys Basketball Coaches, Players to 'White Out' Cancer Friday

Southwestern League boys basketball coaches and teams will be participating in a special Coaches vs. Cancer game on Friday.

Vista Murrieta Coach Andy Rucker launched the Coaches vs. Cancer game at Vista Murrieta last year. Since then, all six Southwestern League schools have pledged to participate.

Murrieta Mesa will be hosting Temecula Valley, Vista Murrieta will be home against the Nighthawks and Chaparral will travel to Great Oak to take on the Wolfpack for this special event.

The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that empowers basketball coaches, their teams, and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer, according to American Cancer Society.

The program leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of basketball coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs.

Through fund-raising efforts, the Broncos were able to donate more than $1,800 to the American Cancer Society last year; Rucker said he hopes to bring in much more than that this year.

Coaches will be wearing white sneakers with their normal game day attire, which is part of the suits and sneakers program associated with Coaches vs. Cancer. 

Each of the home gyms will be decorated for the occasion and memory/honors cards will be sold. Each of the teams playing will raffle off a signed game ball.

Part of the proceeds from the concession stands will be donated. At Vista Murrieta, a pair of shoes worn in a LA Lakers game will be auctioned.

There are only four games left in the Southwestern League Boys Basketball schedule. Great Oak and Murrieta are both 4-2 and tied for first place. The Nighthawks, Pumas and Golden bears are next with 3-3 records in this
congested race for the championship. Vista Murrieta is 1-5.

Come out and support this worthy cause and catch some exciting high school basketball action Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.

"I am hoping to have all of the girls programs in the Southwestern League and possibly getting the Sunbelt League involved. We want to make this a huge event each year, as this is a personal issue for me and the fact that there is no team, league or association that is a part of this on the West Coast," Rucker said.