On Saturday, FHS juniors Shannon Farrington, Teri Fetterhoff, Jessica Loutherback, Sara Ondov and senior Darcy James completed their fourth year in the “Hoops 3 on 3” basketball tournament. These students, as well as about 240 others from FHS and other schools, competed again this year with their friends for a good cause — charity. “It’s really fun and relaxing to be able to play with your friends,” said Farrington. “Knowing that the money is going to a good cause helps out, but I would play anyway since it is so fun.” About 80 different teams were organized this year from local schools, according to Bravette basketball coach Dennis Latimer. Last year there were about 95 teams, and the year before 104. $3,500 in 1997 alone was used by the Flathead Booster Club to support athletics, band, cheerleaders, speech and debate, choir, orchestra and the drama department. “We use the money to support the 19 extra-curricular activities at the high school,” said 3-on-3 administrator Bruce Nikunen. The money from previous fund-raisers by the Booster Club allowed many extra curricular activities to obtain better and more efficient equipment. The track team was able to buy an entire new set of jerseys, the football squad received a new blow-up television screen and video cameras, and the speech and debate team received awards for the participants at the Flathead-hosted speech meets. “I think it was a challenge this year,” said Loutherback. “But the challenge was definitely worth getting to play with my friends.” While the difficulty of playing in this tournament continues to increase, this doesn’t detour players from returning. “We always just try to keep our team together,” said Farrington. “It’s always fun, no matter how challenging it gets.” “We raised about $84,000 last year from all the fundraisers,” said Booster Club treasurer Patti Hagestad. “We may not raise that much this year, but the money always goes to a good cause.” Freshmen Sara Braseth, Sara Lenoch and Addy Hines took first place in the 9th and 10th Girls and Fetterhoff, Ondov, Farrington and Liddle took first in the 11th and 12th Girls. “The work that goes into organizing the fundraisers is frustrating at times,” said co-administrator Mick Hagestad. “But it all pays off, knowing that the money goes to help out the students.” |
