This year’s Coaches vs. Cancer (CVC) games featured the largest basketball crowds of the year and in one game fans were on the edge of their seats until the final minute. Both boys and girls had a crowd cheering them on as the teams brought the energy.
Arguably the biggest home basketball game this year, raised more than $300 for Coaches vs. Cancer, and spread awareness about cancer across all those in attendance. The foundation funds research that can cure and treat cancer. This is very important in combating the global leading cause of death. Liberty hosts a CVC game every year and each time, it is a step towards a cancer-free world.
“I think it’s important because it kind of reminds the players, the school, and the community, about everyone who’s going through battling cancer or family members who may be battling cancer,” girls basketball coach Coach Walterbach said.
The CVC games against Troy were adrenaline fueled and in some cases stressful till the final whistle.
While the varsity girls lost their game 61-19 to a strong Troy team that has a 20-5 record, they still gave their best effort and fight. Even though they lost, there was clear strength and determination in every girl.
The boys fought the battle and won, defeating Troy 57-50, however the game was definitely close and left both sides locked into each play from the group. At one point, the teams were just one point off, leaving even more anticipation. The Eagles were quick and aggressive, giving them the best advantage that led to their victory.
“Everyone on the team played decent enough to win us the game,” Van Kozlowski (12) said.
Coaches versus Cancer isn’t just an emotional thing for the many people who are or know someone dealing with cancer, but it’s a huge thing for the basketball players as well.
“CVC to me means hope. It means purpose,” Coach Sodeman states. “I hope it means that they understand that life is bigger than basketball, and kind of playing for a bigger purpose would probably be what it means to me. I think you get, myself included a lot, you get caught up in the day to day of playing and practicing and prep, game prep and scoring points and all that. And you sometimes kind of forget how lucky we are, that we’re healthy and and that we get to play a game that we love. And so I think having the ability to, like, recognize that hopefully puts things into perspective for our guys.”
During halftime at the boys game, Moses [Chandler Hirtz (12)] made an appearance to split the Red Sea through the student section. The splitting of the Red Sea is an annual tradition at the Liberty CVC game where Moses slams his staff splitting the student section which erupts in cheers as he climbs to the top.
Another event at the game was the cakewalk. Each club had a cake and people who donated could vote on the cake they thought was the best. This not only made for a great way to get donations but also made it fun for everyone who donated.
