The Belles kick off the last of their regular season games playing for a good cause.
Saint Mary’s hosts conference foe Adrian for the program's annual Pink Game on Wednesday at Angela Athletic Facility. The Belles (1-21, 1-12 MIAA) raise money for a cancer-related cause during this annual event. This year, the team has chosen again to fundraise for an organization that supports children who have lost a parent to cancer with various resources, ranging from scholarship opportunities to cancer education programs. This organization has a special meaning for the team and Belles head coach Jennifer Henley.
“Our team has chosen once again to honor the Angel Wings fund,” Henley said. “This fund was created by a good friend of mine, Keisha Brown.”
Brown was the head women’s basketball coach at Alma, another MIAA conference opponent, as well as a close friend of Henley’s. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and fought the disease on four separate occasions until her passing in the spring of 2014. When Brown was first diagnosed with cancer, her daughter Angel was only a year old. While Brown knew her friends and family would be there to support and raise Angel if she lost her battle with cancer, she was moved to consider children in a similar situation who would not be so fortunate, Henley said. Not only does the Angel Wings fund help to support the child’s education and promote education about cancer, but it also takes some of the weight from the surviving parent’s shoulders, she said.
The players are equally supportive of the game’s purpose.
“Coach Brown was a very close friend to Coach Henley,” senior captain and guard Maddie Kohler said. “It really means a lot to her to dedicate this game to Angel Wings and to Coach Brown’s family.
“The Pink Game has always been close to our hearts and special since we played against Coach Brown and know her story and long battle with cancer.”
Last year’s Pink Game raised $2,660 for the Angel Wings Fund, which is more than double the amount raised in 2014. The Belles will be raising money throughout the game by selling headbands and pink desserts. The proceeds will go directly to the Angel Wings Fund.
On the court, the Belles will be battling another tough opponent. Adrian (9-11, 6-6) stands fifth in the conference but enter the matchup after falling, 76-56, on the road to Kalamazoo this past Saturday. The Belles also lost that day to Hope, 95-58.
As the season comes to a close, Henley said she has high hopes for her team, which has been improving over the last few games, she said.
“We have three games left and we are looking to send our seniors off on a great season,” Henley said.
The Belles host Adrian on Wednesday at Angela Athletic Facility at 7:30 p.m.
