The Westmoreland Central School District Girls Basketball Program continues to fight cancer “one game at a time.”
For the fourth 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 25, featured benefit games between Westmoreland and rival, Oriskany. There was a Fifth and Sixth Grade, Modified, Junior Varsity and Varsity game. 
A total of $17,130 was raised, far surpassing last year’s total of $10,500.
On Friday, January 31 before the start of the Westmoreland vs. Mount Markham Girls Varsity Basketball game at Westmoreland Jr./Sr. High School at approximately 7:15 p.m., the Westmoreland Girls Basketball Program will present this year’s proceeds to a representative from More Than a Game Foundation. The organization is donating $13,500 to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse and the remaining funds to Tiana Mangakahia, a player on the Syracuse University Women’s Basketball team and recent breast cancer survivor.
“We are ecstatic over 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. We look forward to continuing to work with More Than a Game Foundation.”
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.