Grace College Hosting Annual Hoops For Hope Tournament
Posted
Dale Hubler-dhubler@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE – Though the word hope is short in length, both Grace College Athletic Director Chad Briscoe and men’s basketball coach Jim Kessler believe it has a lasting meaning. Hope is exactly what they are trying to give locals affected by cancer, and once again they are using basketball as a platform to do so. Grace College will host its annual Bennigan’s/Optimist Club Hoops For Hope Tournament Friday and Saturday, with all the money raised going to the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund. The tournament is once again being played in honor of DARE officer Terry Polston, a beloved member of the community who succumbed to a long battle with cancer. Played at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center there will be four games Friday and four games Saturday. “That’s exactly what we’re trying to do, create hope, give people hope,” said Briscoe. “This tournament is about giving back. At Grace College, we’re a part of the community, and we want to give back to the community. This isn’t about us being served, this is about us serving.” For admission to the games, fans are asked to donate $5. Kessler said that cancer survivers and those currently battling the disease will be welcomed as guests. “This tournament is to help people battling this dreaded disease,” said Kessler, now in his 37th season as Grace’s head coach. “All the funds we raise will stay in the community, that’s the unique thing. The money we raise is for right here in Kosciusko County. We all know someone affected by cancer. I have a granddaughter with cancer, and we lost a great person in Terry Polston. That’s why we call it Hoops For Hope. We want to create hope. We want people in the community to know we support them.” The women’s games will be played in a classic format, while the men’s games will be played in a tournament style. At 2 p.m. Friday, preseason No. 1 and defending NAIA Div. II women’s national champion Indiana Wesleyan will face No. 9 St. Xavier. The Lady Lancers, currently ranked 20th, will face No. 21 Purdue-Calumet at 6 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, Indiana Wesleyan will play Purdue-Calumet at 10 a.m., while the Lady Lancers will battle St. Xavier at 2 p.m. Men’s action will get underway at 4 p.m. Friday when NAIA Div. I schools University of Cumberlands and Missouri Baptist square off. Grace, currently ranked No. 16 in the NAIA Div. II men’s national poll, will play Holy Cross at 8 p.m. The men’s consolation game will be played Saturday at noon, while the championship game is scheduled for 4 p.m.
