The fifth annual Hooping for Hope/Cheering for a Cure Ken Ross-Diane Washington Cancer Classic will begin Saturday morning at the Grenada High School gymnasium. Boys and girls basketball teams from all over North Mississippi will compete.
“It’s an idea we came up with, initially, to honor Coach Ross, who had battled cancer and had to retire due to his health,” GHS boys basketball coach Joey Cooley said. “We were going to honor a boys and girls basketball player. In the summer prior to starting the tournament, we decided to add a cheerleader to the list. Diane Washington served as a cheerleader sponsor for 18 years and died from breast cancer back in 2016. Both families have been very supportive of what we are trying to do.”
In the four years of the event, more than $4,000 in scholarships have been awarded to deserving students. The initial monies awarded were $350 per student and this year’s winners will receive $500. Funds are raised from admission and T-shirt sells, along with donations from each family.
The Washington family helps provide actually two scholarships – one is the Diane Washington Scholarship sponsored by her son, Cedric Washington, in addition to a scholarship for a cheerleader.
Schedule
• 10 a.m. – Girls – Senatobia vs. Aberdeen
• 11:30 a.m. – Boys – Senatobia vs. Aberdeen
• 1 p.m. – Girls – Amanda Elzy vs. Coffeeville
• 2:30 p.m. – Boys – Amanda Elzy vs. Coffeeville
• 4 p.m. – Girls – Simmons vs. Calhoun City
• 5:30 p.m. – Girls – Grenada vs. Kosciusko
• 7 p.m. – Boys – Grenada vs. Kosciusko
Admission will be $5 and a concession stand will be available. T-shirts will be also available for purchase.
