Don Ketchum
Former Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Prescott-area communities combine to Box Out Breast Cancer

December 7, 2011 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365


By Don Ketchum

Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley has hosted some important athletic events over the years, but perhaps none more important than what will occur on Saturday (Dec. 10).

The boys and girls basketball teams from Prescott and Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain high schools will participate in the Box Out Breast Cancer games at TTC, an all-day gathering.

All three levels of basketball will compete. It begins with freshman girls at noon, followed by freshman boys at 1:30 p.m., JV girls at 3 p.m.,  JV boys at 4:30 p.m., varsity girls at 6 p.m. and varsity boys at 8 p.m. The varsity teams, at least, will wear pink uniforms in support of breast-cancer awareness.

There also will be performances of the Prescott High Show Choir (11 a.m.), Summer’s Dance Works (12:30 p.m.), Flip City Gymnastics (2 p.m.), the Bradshaw Mountain Show Choir (3:30 p.m.), The Dance Studio (5 p.m.), the Prescott High marching band at 7 p.m. and the Bradshaw Mountain marching band at 7:15 p.m.

There will be raffles, and a silent auction will run from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

The event has expanded considerably from the first one a year ago.

According to Prescott High athletic director Bill White, the idea was first brought up by Cynthia Garner, an athletic booster who also is a breast-cancer survivor. The girls basketball teams from Prescott and Page highs played.

White said Garner thought of making the event bigger, so she went to officials at the arena and got Prescott and Bradshaw Mountain to sign off on it.

“It seemed only natural for these two communities to get together for something like this,’’ White said.

“It is great to have this involvement, families and kids, learning the value of doing something for someone.’’

Asked if there are plans to continue the event in future years, White said, “We’ll see how it works. I don’t see why not.’’

Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for those 13 and younger. White said most of the proceeds will go to care at the Yavapai Regional Medical Center BreastCare Center.

For those unable to attend, they still will be able to donate. Donations can be made to: PHSBBB, Attention Cynthia Garner, c/o Prescott High School, 1050 N. Ruth St., Prescott, 86301.