The Mason City Varsity Basketball Teams held their 9th annual Coaches vs Cancer night on Friday, January 27. Proceeds for Coaches vs Cancer go to the American Cancer Society. It is a statewide event to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. The teams had several fundraising events leading up to the game, including selling t-shirts and beads in the high school. At the game, there were auction baskets set up in the lobby of the gym to be bid on. A total has yet to be announced, but the event’s Facebook page has said it will be coming very soon. To support the event, the student section and much of the gym wore pink, tattoos, and beads.
Both the boys’ and girls’ teams played well. The girls’ team defeated Fort Dodge 59-37, while the boys’ team lost 52-66. Between the games, Coach Tom Kirby gave a speech about the importance of this event. He demonstrated the far reaching effect of cancer by asking everyone in the gym who had had a family member affected by cancer to stand. Nearly the entire room was on their feet. He asked for a moment of silence for everyone who had lost a battle with cancer before ushering in the boys’ team. The Danzers performed a special routine dedicated to one of their dance moms, Julie Eaton, who is currently battling ovarian cancer. They also donated a basket to be auctioned off. Congratulations to Mohawk Athletics on another successful Coaches vs Cancer event.