The Westmoreland Central School District Girls Basketball Program continues to fight cancer “one game at a time.”
For the third consecutive year, the program teamed up with the More Than a Game Foundation to hold a “Hoops for Hospital” benefit. The event, held at Westmoreland Jr./Sr. High School on January 19, featured four benefit games between Westmoreland and rival, Oriskany. There was a Modified B, Modified A, Junior Varsity and Varsity game. 
A total of $10,500 was raised, far surpassing last year’s total of $5,000.
On January 28 before the start of the Westmoreland vs. New York Mills Girls Varsity Basketball game, the Westmoreland Girls Basketball Modified, Junior Varsity and Varsity teams presented this year’s proceeds to Anthony Richmond of More Than a Game Foundation. The organization is donating the money to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse.
“We are ecstatic over surpassing our fundraising goal and raising more money than last year,” Jerrid Otis, head coach of the Westmoreland Girls Varsity Basketball team, said. “I would like to thank everyone who donated and for their support. There truly is so much more to life than basketball, and to be able to make a difference and impact lives in a positive way is empowering and also an important life-lesson for our players.”
For its efforts, the Westmoreland Girls Basketball Program received a special banner for the school gym reading, “CHAMPIONS – FIGHTING CANCER ONE GAME AT A TIME.” Anthony Richmond of More Than a Game Foundation also presented Dave Kingwater, owner of Kingwater Chiropractic, and Megan Otis, wife of Coach Jerrid Otis, with a special recognition award for their sponsorship and support.
The More Than a Game Foundation is a Syracuse-based non-profit that teams up with local schools to organize “Hoops for Hospital” benefit games and tournaments in all sports to raise funds and awareness in the fight against cancer. All money raised stays local.