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A hopeful message from some basketball
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
Photo
YSU Student Chad Gifford goes up against former Cleveland Browns player Felix Wright during the Game of Hope Saturday Evening at the Beeghly Center.
By Jon Moffett
YOUNGSTOWN
There’s an old saying about sportswriters. Basically, it states that we write about the games we love because we can’t play them — at least not anymore.
Basketball has long been one of those things I’m much better at watching than participating. When I stopped growing at 5-foot-8, I knew my career in the NBA would be as short-lived as the Cavaliers’ championship hopes this year.
So when the Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley asked me to participate in its annual “Game of Hope” to raise money for terminally ill children, I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty. But the benefits more than outweighed the issues.
Everyone who attended was treated to a great game — you’re welcome. The $6 ticket got viewers two halves, plus overtime AND a sudden-death finish. In the end, it was Team Tim Ryan over Team Dr. Cynthia Anderson with a 55-54 victory.
I was on the losing end. Go figure.
But it was a masterful six minutes that I spent on the floor — I’m what I like to consider a “situational” player, which is slang for “not good enough to start.” Yes, my only shot attempt was a pathetic miss. And the halftime entertainment may have been on the floor longer than I was. And OK, I touched the ball less than some of the people taking half-court shots at the break. But it was fun.
The game was won on a free throw by former Cleveland Browns defensive back Felix Wright, who earlier drilled the game-tying 3-pointer to send the contest into overtime.
Who would have thought a Browns player could break my heart with a win?
But I honestly couldn’t really tell you much about the game or its results. Why? Well, because nobody was really there for the game. It was about something better.
I remember when my aunt was diagnosed with brain cancer several years ago. It may have been one of the most painful experiences my family has ever had to go through. She passed away after a valiant fight with the disease that claims millions of lives each year.
Now I think about a child having to take up that fight or a similar one. Things start to be a little more serious when you’re talking about terminally ill kids.
Hopefully everyone who attended, participated or was involved in the event walked away feeling a little better about things. Nobody wants to lose. But in the big picture, who cares how your stat line read or how many points you had?
The biggest score was for the children the Hope Foundation represents. All the proceeds from ticket sales, concessions and the 50-50 raffle went back to the organization, and, in turn, back to those who needed it the most.
I may not even make some high school junior varsity teams, but I’d much rather make a fool out of myself on the court for these kids than take my skills for granted.
Even if they’re average.