The NDB Basketball team hosted its first “Knockout Cancer” game against Sacred Heart Preparatory HS on January 21. The scores of JV and Varsity games stayed relatively close, but they both eventually came out on top. The Varsity team secured a 51-43 victory in overtime, marking an exciting start to a new tradition.
The event, formerly known as “CatFight,” was always a highly anticipated spirit-point game that students would attend. However, while regular basketball games usually focus on athletic performance and competition, Knockout Cancer seeks to go beyond the game itself. This first annual event aims to channel the energy and enthusiasm of the sport into a cause that touches nearly everyone in some way: cancer. Whether it is through personal experiences or the experiences of loved ones, cancer is a universal challenge, and this event serves as a tribute to those affected by it.
Since it was the inaugural year of the game, the JV and Varsity Basketball teams, athletic staff and Associate Student Body (ASB) worked diligently to ensure its success. Team players designed and sold t-shirts, with all of the proceeds going towards individuals fighting cancer, while varsity basketball players Jane Hipps and Lizzie Johnson were the primary organizers.
“We first went to the athletic department for their support of rebranding Catfight to Knockout Cancer, so the game has a cause to play for,” shared Johnson. “We then reached out to Hailey Kockos on ASB and got her support and we had a meeting with … the JV captains, Hailey, Coach Christina and Mrs. Bergholm. … The basketball team had to make decorations, reach out to the marketing team to promote the game on socials, design the shirts and [do] much more behind-the-scenes work.”
Johnson dedicated the game to her mother and recent breast cancer survivor, Dr. Mary Kmak Johnson which served as an incredible way to not only raise awareness of cancer, but also give all proceeds from the night to cancer patients at the Stanford Children’s Hospital.
“I really hope the Knockout Cancer game serves as a powerful reminder that anybody fighting cancer is not alone. By coming together as a community, we can raise awareness, support those affected, and increase hope,” shared Hipps.
Though only the first year of this amazing game, the team hopes to carry on the tradition and turn the Knockout Cancer game into an annual event. The energy, dedication and community support displayed throughout the event have inspired the players, coaches and organizers to continue building on its success.
“My hope for the future of this event is for it to continue to reach a bigger audience and be able to fundraise more for the children at Stanford Children’s Hospital,” expanded Johnson. “Moving forward in future years, I hope to continue the things we did, like dedicating the game [to someone] every year, posting up “Knockout Cancer” signs, decorations … maybe adding a video and getting more girls to the game”
Though she is graduating this year, Hipps is excited for the future of the game and hopes to stay involved in its success.
“We want to increase participation next year by encouraging more people to get involved, whether through donations, volunteering or simply just attending,” expressed Hipps. “It’s really important for us to get as many people engaged and excited about the game as possible in order to maximize the impact of the event”
The spirit and energy within the Moore Pavilion was exhilarating and the sense of competition showcased the team’s incredible resilience, sportsmanship and teamwork. Whether it was aggressive defense, swift maneuvers or impressive shooting, everybody gave it their all.
“It was a pretty tough game, but I think everybody played their absolute best and really pulled through, especially once we got into overtime,” stated Hipps. “The energy from everyone in the stands really pushed us and motivated everyone to play all the way until … we secured the win.”
A major turning point of the game occurred when sophomore Mika Cary sank a crucial three-pointer that gave the Varsity Basketball team a small, but vital lead. This helped tie the score and bring the game into overtime, where the Tigers fought hard, scoring over ten points and closing the game with a win. The physical game showcased the best of the athlete’s abilities, but the shared goal of raising awareness and support for cancer made this event unforgettable.
