The girls varsity basketball team raised $3,663 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation through the “I am Vs. Cancer” cause during a league game against Canyon Crest Academy on Jan. 10. During the same match, the team celebrated Lily Oliva (12) reaching 1,000 career points.

During the game, the team was decked out in gold, the symbolic color of childhood cancer awareness, wearing uniforms and accessories in support of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

Players on the JV and varsity girls basketball teams individually fundraised by promoting QR codes during the game and selling T-shirts to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

“We bought a bunch of shirts and sold them for $25 as well as sending out the link to people we know,” shooting guard Lauren Mills (12) said.

The event was organized by parents and coaches and the team hopes to continue this fundraising tradition for this important cause.

“First of all, our coach is a very giving person,” Panchal said. “He is really focused on philanthropy and giving back to the community.”

Throughout girls varsity basketball head coach Scott Herrin’s life, cancer has always been an important cause and has affected many people in his community. So, Herrin made it an important part of his philanthropy.

“I wanted to focus on our season on kindness and write cards to all of the referees and coaches,” Herrin said. “We always talk about something positive at practice.”

Panchal remarked on Herrin’s work in preparation for the fundraiser.

“He got us shirts and then also helped us to sell the shirts to make money for the fundraiser,” Panchal said. “All of the money went to the foundation. Coach Herrin also helped set all of us up with accounts under the Vs. Cancer Organization to fundraise money.”

The team also promoted the fundraiser on their Instagram.

“When talking to the foundation, they thought that it would be great if we could raise $500 and we raised close to $4,000,” Panchal said. “This just really goes to show how much our program has grown into a big part of the school. It was really great to see that.”

From this fundraiser, the basketball community was able to connect over an important cause.

“Here in our basketball community we have a lot of relationships with cancer and have many cancer survivors within us,” Herrin said.

A key highlight of the game was senior, Lily Oliva (12), point guard, hitting her 1,000th career point in the second quarter against CCA, leading the team to a 62-22 victory.

Oliva reflects on the initial moments after scoring a buzzer-beater and the basket to gain her victory.  

“I didn’t think much of it,” Oliva said. “It was a shock, I had no idea I was so close. I’m pretty sure I blacked out a little.”

Oliva recalled the role of her team in being able to help her achieve it.

“I worked really hard for this but also I’ve gotten so much support from all my coaches and teammates, I couldn’t have done it without them,” Oliva said.

Teammate and friend, Panchal discussed Lily’s role on the team for the past four years.

“Lily has really been the main girl on our team, she has been starting since freshman year and really carries us,” Panchal said.

Herrin delved into the plan for the game.

“Going into the game, Lily only needed a couple of more points and we all knew she was so close to getting it,” Herrin said. “I told the girls that I could call a timeout and put the seniors in to have a big celebration of her achievement.”

Herrin reflected on the moment Oliva scored her 1,000th carreer point.

“It was really emotional with the ball and the presentation,” Herrin said. “She really is a special girl.”

Mills reflected on the moments before Oliva scored her memorable shot.

“Lily didn’t know she was going to hit her 1,000th point, however, we knew she was close,” Mills said. “Before the game, our coach told us and his plan to call a timeout, put all of the five seniors in it, and make it memorable.”

Small forward Brooke Thomas (10) discussed what this accomplishment meant for the team.

“[With this accomplishment,] we are really going to be kept on track and focus on our goals for the team,” Thomas said.

Thomas explained the thrill and excitement on the court at the moment of Oliva’s big accomplishment. 

“When Lily hit her 1000 points it was exciting, we all swarmed the court and ran to her,” Thomas said. “As a sophomore, I look up to her; it is truly inspiring.”

The team celebrated by awarding a basketball with the words “1,000 points” to Oliva and a trip to Chipotle post-game.

“Here I want to create lifelong memories,” Herrin said. “Lily did all of the hard work to get that accomplishment and she truly does deserve it. I think this is great for our team.”