Neither of Fairview Christian Academy's basketball teams won their games in the eighth Hoops for Hope event. But the school's boys' and girls' programs showed that despite their own troubles, they're clearly on one winning team in the fight against breast cancer.
Signal Mountain beat the Lady Falcons 48-30 and Signal's boys defeated the Falcons 69-33 in the last two of five games held Saturday at GPS. Money raised at the event goes to the MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship fund, which assists area students who have had a parent diagnosed with breast cancer with college financial aid.
Fairview Christian is located in Athens, Tenn., which was one of the areas hit by tornadoes early Wednesday morning. The academy suffered structure damage to some of its buildings, including a new auditorium.
But school administrator and coach Greg Ranck emailed GPS coach and Hoops for Hope event coordinator Wes Moore to let him know the teams would be making the trip to fulfill the obligation they made of competing in the fundraiser.
"If you don't think that's a class act, I don't know what you call it," Moore said. "Here they are in a charity situation for them, and they come to a charity benefit for someone else. It shows what it's all about with that school and it's people."
Notre Dame's girls and boys defeated Hixson 43-13 and 64-61 in the day's first two games. GPS beat Bledsoe County 38-28 in the middle game.
Before that game, GPS senior Catherine Cobb was presented a scholarship. Next school year she'll be attending the University of Tennessee, where her sister, Copeland, also a Locher Foundation scholarship recipient, is currently a junior. Their mother, Tammy, is a five-year breast-cancer survivor.
"We're pleased with the crowd," foundation administrator Cindy Pare said. "People have been very supportive. We're just thankful for all the enthusiasm and support from parents and coaches."
* Notre Dame girls 43, Hixson 13: Fourteen played for the Lady Irish and 10 scored. Lauren Bird led with eight points and KeeKee Ball scored seven, all in the first half.
"We got the chance to play everybody," Notre Dame coach Jason Hill said. "We looked at some different rotations and worked on some things offensively and defensively. Our district play begins Tuesday against Grundy County, so we used this to help us get prepared for that."
Kirby Brown's eight points led the Lady Wildcats.
* Notre Dame boys 64, Hixson 61: The Fighting Irish rallied with a 21-10 scoring edge in the fourth quarter. C.J. Greer scored 10 of his team-high 17 points in the final period.
"We really improved on the small things: boxing out, the fundamentals," Notre Dame coach J.P. Nerbun said. "That's what we tried to focus on in the second half."
Kolby McGowan added 14 points for the Irish and Derwin Lewis and Akil Sledge each had 10. Braven Horton's 31 points led Hixson and Jamvis Pounder contributed 14.
* GPS 38, Bledsoe County 28: The Bruisers led from 4-2 on but didn't take a double-figures lead for good until 1:21 remained.
Lindsey Wyatt and Brooke McCurdy scored 10 points apiece in the victory. Brittany Singleton had 10 for the Lady Warriors.
"I think the kids gave a whole lot of effort," Moore said. "We did a lot of good things in spots. We maintained a decent lead throughout the game, but what I liked was that we fought for 32 minutes."
* Signal Mountain girls 48, Fairview 30: The Lady Eagles overcame a slow start but took command with a 20-8 edge in the second quarter that led to a 30-15 halftime lead.
"They played a real solid man-to-man defense," Signal Mountain coach Kendra Bell said of the Lady Falcons. "It was a real physical game. I don't think we were ready for that. It took my kids a little time to adjust. But it's not how you start, it's how you finish."
Mary Witherspoon scored 11 of her 16 points in the second quarter and Lady Eagles teammate Brooke Whitmire totaled 14. FCA got 12 points from Sandy McElhaney and 11 from Ashley Rogers.
* Signal Mountain boys 69, Fairview 33: The Eagles scored the first seven points on the way to an 18-6 lead after one quarter and were never threatened.
Jarren Radden had 16 points for Signal Mountain and Sylvestro Sylvestro scored 11. Kevin McCaffrey and Travion Williams chipped in with 10 apiece.
Tanner Harris paced the Falcons with 20 points.
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him on Twitter @KelleySmiddie.