"More than 20 Fitch girls' basketball alumni chose to share their holiday weekend by sharing a game of basketball with the current varsity team last Saturday to raise money in memory of the late Charles Hollman and Terry Purcell, two former Fitch assistant basketball coaches who succumbed to cancer just one month apart in the summer of 2006.

The girls sure did get the bucks - and the buckets.

Assistant Coach D.J.Berger organized the event that raised more than $1,800 for the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative and drew players from as far back as the Class of 1980.

There were family themes like Ariel Cooper from the current team trying to blow by her mom, Renee (1983); Sarah Latham (2004) running the clock as daughter Taylor ran the floor; Nina (2003) and Nikki (2006) Hallissey forming the only threesome with younger sister Hannah and Diann Huber (1988) getting in a few minutes while her husband, Fitch coach Dave Huber, cheered her on with their delighted daughter, Alex, on his lap at the end of the bench.

The event was heartwarming for Huber, who was Hillman's long-time friend and former student and a close friend and fellow coach with Purcell.

"I'm so proud of D.J. for getting this whole thing started, the girls on the team, the whole community and the alumni - it was fantastic," he said. "It was amazing how many players came out."

The alumni team also included Sue Beaman Thompson (1980), Judy (Chester) O'Connor (1983), Michelle Lewerk (1987), Jennifer Spellman (1993), Jocelyn Hartman (1995(, Meaghan Scribner and Kate Durham (1999), Xiomara Lopes and Stephanie Scully Wheeler (2000), Lauren Hunter (2005), Chella Harlow, Mallory Musante and Kathryn Zenowitz (2006), Kate Houseman, Sam Caulum and Jesse Neubelt (2007) and fresman girls' volleyball coach Kelly Burton. "

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