OCHS Girls Basketball Players Sink Layups, Raise Money for Cancer Fund

mvitale

In honor of Mikenzie Helphenstine, the late lacrosse and field hockey coach. (Photo courtesy of Carriann Vliet)

By MADDY VITALE The Ocean City High School girls basketball team and their coach, Stephanie Gaitley, brought excitement to town Sunday morning when they stopped at seven outdoor courts, showcasing their talents with layups to benefit cancer survivors and their families. Teammates dribbled their way down one end of town to the other -- a total of seven miles -- in “The World’s Longest Layup Line” to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in honor of the late, legendary women's college basketball coach who died in 2009 of cancer. Ocean City police provided an escort to keep the players safe from traffic. “It feels great. We are getting the city together for a good cause,” said Gaitley, a former Ocean City High School star basketball player who went on to coach college basketball at Fordham University before returning to her hometown roots to coach the Red Raiders.

Layups at 52nd Street. Gaitley, who knew Yow and respected her for what she did for the sport and who she was as a person, said of the benefit, “The team and I want to honor her.” And that they did. Twenty-five Red Raiders raised $5,000 to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to help others and their families battling cancer. They started out with a group photo at the basketball court at 52nd Street and did their layups after a ceremony. Gaitley, the players and supporters, joined in a circle on the court in honor of cancer victims, survivors and their families. “It’s so good to come together. We want to take a moment of silence for the people who have cancer,” Gaitley said as she bowed her head.

Head Coach Stephanie Gaitley talks to her players. Gaitley also recognized the family of late OCHS and Intermediate School lacrosse and field hockey coach Mikenzie Helphenstine, who lost her long and courageous battle to breast cancer in May at the age of 43. Team Captains Tori Vliet and A’yanna Morton did the tip-off, with the help of Santa. Then a line formed and the teammates were doing layups. Moments later, they exited the court and dribbled north on West Avenue toward the next basketball court at 34th Street. They continued down the line. Seven courts in seven miles to raise thousands of dollars. They went to 18th Street, 15th Street, Eighth Street, First Street and then circled back to the Sixth Street courts, where the fundraiser ended with a pizza party at Sixth Street Pizza.

Team Captains Tori Vliet, left, and A'yanna Morton with the help of Santa do the tip-off. But before heading out, some teammates spoke about what the day meant to them. Tori Vliet, an 18-year-old senior, explained how proud she was to be a part of the fundraiser. “It’s amazing. It’s so cool to be able to give back to the community like this,” Tori said. Alexis Allegretto, 16, a junior, said she was happy to participate in such an important event. “It’s really exciting to do something to help others who have had cancer and others who have it and are fighting it,” Alexis said. In addition to Gaitley, assistant coaches who were involved in the fundraiser were Emily Gillian, Gaitley’s nephew, Jack Davis, an Ocean City police officer, and Gaitley’s sister, Coco Lefkowitz.

Coach Gaitley flashes a smile as her sister, assistant coach, Coco Lefkowitz, displays her ball signed by sponsors. Lefkowitz displayed a basketball signed by the people who sponsored her. There were people who are battling cancer who signed, along with people whose loved ones have cancer and others who just wanted to be a part of a worthy cause, she said. After the fundraiser, Gaitley reflected on her team and their accomplishments. “I felt great pride and joy to see the Ocean City players and the community come together to do something for others,” she said. “They have great hearts and love that we can share in the spirit of giving.” For more information about the Ocean City school district, visit oceancityschools.org.