Hoops for the Cure

In some ways, the excitement of the rivalry games between Severna Park and Broadneck was the same. Hard fought plays, cheering and jeering fans, friends on both sides greeting each other during half time.

But the four basketball games between the BHS and SPHS junior and senior varsity boys and girls teams didn’t separate the communities as much as it brought them together yesterday, and all for a good cause.

The Hoops for the Cure rivalry games event was a fundraiser for the Annapolis Wellness House, a nonprofit organization that supports families who are affected by cancer.

The kickoff began with Broadneck Girls Varsity Coach Erin Thorne traveling to Severna Park High to officially deliver the challenge. Over the past couple of weeks, donations for both teams were made on the Annapolis Wellness House website. Admission receipts from the game were also donated to the cause.

A colorful “Cupcake for Cancer” display was set up by the Broadneck players and their parents with proceeds going to the charity. T-shirts were made for all of the teams’ players, different colors of course, but all in the spirit of coming together to support the cause.

According to the volunteers at the Wellness House station (set up in the BHS gym lobby), before the boys Varsity game even started, they had about $1,400 in donations. By the end of the day, the total had grown to $2,100, said Maggie Griffin-Synowski Wellness House of Annapolis volunteer event coordinator in an email sent to Patch.

The Annapolis Wellness House, located off of Spa Road in Annapolis, provides free services and programs to those who have been touched by cancer. From support groups for children, teens, and adults, to healthy living services like yoga, reiki, meditation, and therepeutic art classes, their goal is to help patients and their family members get well.

"Both schools have won today," said Kelly Sullivan, founder of the Annapolis Wellness House, to the players and spectators in a special recognition ceremony. "Because they care not only about sports and academics - but also about the community in general."

"It's neat to have something like this (the game) bring the community together," said Sharon Pettit, a child development teacher at Broadneck High School and Severna Park resident who also helped with the Hoops for a Cure event.

And for those interested in the game results:  BHS Boys Varsity won 63-37; BHS Girls Varsity won 44-41; BHS Boys JV won and the Girls JV lost.