By Jane Berry

 

 

Although typical basketball games are not as strongly attended as football games, the second annual Pack the Place event was just that: packed.The event consisted of game day, an event with inflatable games for all students, a varsity girls basketball game, a varsity boys basketball game and, most importantly, the theme of the night: Coaches vs. Cancer. The cause was started in 1998 to help raise money for cancer victims.

The lady knights played a good game.Although they were behind for some time, Christina Brucci shot a three pointer near the end that pushed the team to the finish. They finished the game against the Elk Grove Grens 44-40.“I thought the girls did a great job battling back,” Martha Kelly, head girls varsity basketball coach, said.“I think we played an okay game, but I was glad to come out and support the cause,” senior team member  Maura Benson said.The boys’ team took the lead from the beginning and never let go. The gym was more than packed for this game and the crowd was wild the whole time.
“This is one of the teams favorite nights of the year: its for a good cause and we take so much from the crowd, it makes it fun for everyone,” senior player Brad Reibel said.
The half time show was a clear favorite with winners getting Chipotle and Orchesis performing. To top it off, the boys beat the Grens 73-42.
“The crowd was outstanding tonight which makes Prospect fun to work at and hopefully fun to go to,” John Camardella, head varsity boys basketball coach, said.
“We love the cause and the boys got all excited about wearing their warm-ups out,” Camardella said,
“But the vast majority, if not all the credit, has to go to Dr. Jay.”
Knights’ Way made nearly 90 blankets to give to the Alexian Brothers Hospital.
“So many people had an opportunity to participate tonight and that builds community,” Jay Kyp-Johnson said.
Also, there was a memory board for antendees to right the names of family and friends they had lost to cancer. The overall support for the cause was tremendous, but it hit home for one athlete.
“My grandmother and aunt have cancer, so this cause is really close to my heart. It affects my life every day,” Reibel said.
“This was a really good community event a lot of people involved of all ages and all walks of life and that’s what I wanted so, I feel good about it,” Kyp-Johnson said.