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The Leavenworth Pioneer boys varsity basketball team is off to another great start. They head in to Friday’s game with a 9-2 record, and are currently ranked fifth in the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association’s 6A poll. But two upcoming games on the schedule will have special meaning for the team and basketball community.
Basketball has been used to raise funds for cancer research at the collegiate level for nearly 20 years. Coaches vs. Cancer is a program founded by the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Since its inception in 1993, nearly $45 million has been raised through the program. This year, coach Larry Hogan is helping to bring the Coaches vs. Cancer concept to Leavenworth.
On Friday, Leavenworth hosts the St. James Thunder. In the last six months, St. James’ Connor McCullough has gone through five rounds of chemotherapy. After experiencing headaches in early July, doctors found a tumor on Connor’s brain which has required a number of intense treatments. The chemo regimen has not proven to be effective in controlling or removing the tumor, so the family now finds itself in Portland, Ore., in search of more aggressive treatment. Leavenworth High School will donate a portion of T-shirt sales and gate proceeds from the Friday’s game to the family and the American Cancer Society.
Coach Larry Hogan said, “We are just trying to do what we can to help others in their recovery efforts. We have sent all of our prayers and are hoping to ease the financial burdens on the families that a serious illness can bring, as well as raise funds to find a cure for these illnesses.”
For the Shawnee Mission West game on February 21, the Pioneers will turn their attention to a family with direct ties to the Leavenworth basketball family. Justin Oberndorfer is a 1995 Leavenworth High School graduate and was a three-year varsity letterman for Coach Hogan. Justin’s 7-year old son, Jackson, was recently diagnosed with Moyamoya, an extremely rare disease causing a narrowing of blood vessels in the brain. Without treatment, the condition can result in continuous strokes, mental decline, and hemorrhage. In early January, Jackson underwent surgery at Children’s Mercy in Boston to place a healthy artery on each side of his brain. Over the next year, a whole new network of blood vessels will form to replace any weakened or diseased vessels.
“Jackson is back home now and the swelling is down. He gets exhausted pretty quickly. The procedure was a miracle, but there’s still a long way to go,” said Jackson’s father, Justin.
“I went to Leavenworth High School specifically to play for Coach Hogan. He truly loves every student that comes through his program. Coach’s theme of ‘Where Champions are Made,’ and his culture of achievement through hard work are things that apply forever. I got to be a part of a winning legacy and have remained great friends with my coaches, teachers, and teammates,” said Justin.
Similar to this Friday’s Coaches vs. Cancer game, the Pioneers will offer their support next month and do what they can to assist the Oberndorfer family through this unexpectedly challenging time. High school basketball games, especially in Leavenworth, offer an excellent opportunity to demonstrate school pride and community spirit. Our players love playing in front of an enthusiastic and packed home crowd. Please take advantage of the upcoming schedule and come out to root for victories both on and off the basketball court.
Submitted by Leavenworth School District.
The Leavenworth Pioneer boys varsity basketball team is off to another great start. They head in to Friday’s game with a 9-2 record, and are currently ranked fifth in the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association’s 6A poll. But two upcoming games on the schedule will have special meaning for the team and basketball community.
Basketball has been used to raise funds for cancer research at the collegiate level for nearly 20 years. Coaches vs. Cancer is a program founded by the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Since its inception in 1993, nearly $45 million has been raised through the program. This year, coach Larry Hogan is helping to bring the Coaches vs. Cancer concept to Leavenworth.
On Friday, Leavenworth hosts the St. James Thunder. In the last six months, St. James’ Connor McCullough has gone through five rounds of chemotherapy. After experiencing headaches in early July, doctors found a tumor on Connor’s brain which has required a number of intense treatments. The chemo regimen has not proven to be effective in controlling or removing the tumor, so the family now finds itself in Portland, Ore., in search of more aggressive treatment. Leavenworth High School will donate a portion of T-shirt sales and gate proceeds from the Friday’s game to the family and the American Cancer Society.
Coach Larry Hogan said, “We are just trying to do what we can to help others in their recovery efforts. We have sent all of our prayers and are hoping to ease the financial burdens on the families that a serious illness can bring, as well as raise funds to find a cure for these illnesses.”
For the Shawnee Mission West game on February 21, the Pioneers will turn their attention to a family with direct ties to the Leavenworth basketball family. Justin Oberndorfer is a 1995 Leavenworth High School graduate and was a three-year varsity letterman for Coach Hogan. Justin’s 7-year old son, Jackson, was recently diagnosed with Moyamoya, an extremely rare disease causing a narrowing of blood vessels in the brain. Without treatment, the condition can result in continuous strokes, mental decline, and hemorrhage. In early January, Jackson underwent surgery at Children’s Mercy in Boston to place a healthy artery on each side of his brain. Over the next year, a whole new network of blood vessels will form to replace any weakened or diseased vessels.
“Jackson is back home now and the swelling is down. He gets exhausted pretty quickly. The procedure was a miracle, but there’s still a long way to go,” said Jackson’s father, Justin.
“I went to Leavenworth High School specifically to play for Coach Hogan. He truly loves every student that comes through his program. Coach’s theme of ‘Where Champions are Made,’ and his culture of achievement through hard work are things that apply forever. I got to be a part of a winning legacy and have remained great friends with my coaches, teachers, and teammates,” said Justin.
Similar to this Friday’s Coaches vs. Cancer game, the Pioneers will offer their support next month and do what they can to assist the Oberndorfer family through this unexpectedly challenging time. High school basketball games, especially in Leavenworth, offer an excellent opportunity to demonstrate school pride and community spirit. Our players love playing in front of an enthusiastic and packed home crowd. Please take advantage of the upcoming schedule and come out to root for victories both on and off the basketball court.
Submitted by Leavenworth School District.
