The Carpenter High School girls’ basketball team is set to host the province’s annual ‘Pink Game.’
The tradition, which started back in 2009 out of Assiniboia, has one team each year host a basketball game in an attempt to raise funds for the fight against cancer.
Kendra Paramchuk, the head coach for Carpenter High School girls’ basketball team, told meadowlakeNOW her players have been waiting a long time for this opportunity.
“We have a great group of girls, they’re great leaders in the community and in our school,” she said. “They’ve done a lot of work making this a special event.”
This includes holding a basketball camp, alumni game, and other fundraisers to raise as much money as possible. All the funds are being given to the Meadow Lake Oncology Unit.
So far, they’ve been able to raise over $17,000 which was their target at the beginning of the season. They expect to have the total amount calculated by early next week.
The host is always chosen the year before to be the road team in that year’s fundraiser. The host’s jerseys are also paid for by the team they played against during the last ‘Pink Game.’
Carpenter was supposed to play against Melfort Unit Comprehensive Collegiate in 2022, however, they had to cancel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite not playing against Carpenter, MUCC still paid for their jerseys this year.
These jerseys also won’t be worn for just one game. It’s also part of the tradition that past teams wear them whenever they get a chance.
“You’ll see teams wearing pink jerseys (at tournaments), they continue to wear them year after year after hosting,” said Paramchuk.
Carpenter’s jerseys were created by the business Snipe & Celly out of the Flying Dust First Nation. Paramchuk noted the final design, pink with black splotches, was everything they wanted.
“We asked for bright pink because we wanted everyone to notice them this season.”
Tip-off for the ‘Pink Game’ is set for 6 p.m. on Friday. Carpenter will be taking on John Paul II out of North Battleford who’ll host next year’s fundraiser.
Admission for adults is $5 and $3 for students. There will also be a 50/50 draw and silent auction.
The ‘Pink Game’ is also taking place during the annual Northern Lights Classic. The tournament starts at 4 p.m. on Friday and resumes at 8 p.m. after the ‘Pink Game.’
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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter: @princealbertnow