By Joe Bachman

The Lady Raiders usually adorn the scarlet and white colors of Lincoln High School, but on Tuesday night, they were all pink.

Chani Pulchinski dishes the rock to Alyssa Huglen. (City Times Photo)

For the second straight year, the girls basketball team raised money for the Aspirus Cancer Patient Fund, and this year they weren’t alone. Lincoln High School teamed up with Stevens Point Area High School (SPASH) to raise money for the “Shooting for the Cure” fundraiser.

Patient funds are used directly used in the community to help pay for medications and treatments. In honor of the fundraiser, the Lincoln girls basketball team wore all pink in their home game on Tuesday night against SPASH.

Bull’s Eye Credit Union from both Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids also had a major hand in the event, as they sponsored the pink t-shirts for sale, which means every t-shirt sale is 100 percent donation.

Maddie Paitel knocks in a late free throw that helped secure a victory over SPASH. (City Times Photo)

“Because there’s a Bull’s Eye Credit Union in both Rapids and Point and we’re playing SPASH in the double-header I went and asked the coaches over there if they would like to team up and do this,” said Lincoln High School Girls Basketball Coach Chris Bondioli. “Everyone was really happy to team up.”

Last year, the team raised $2,005. This year, they have more than doubled that amount by raising $5,560.

The Lady Raiders wore pink on Tuesday night for “Shooting for the Cure” — a fundraiser to raise money for he Aspirus Cancer Patient Fund. (City Times Photo)

As for the game itself, the Lady Raiders played valiantly, getting a 67-55 win over SPASH, cementing what will be a memorable night. With a large crowd attendance and for a great cause against their rivals, the Lady Raiders coach was overly proud of his crew.

“This is a special night,” said Bondioli. “We’ve just been preaching ‘defense, defense, defense’ for the last several weeks, and they did awesome tonight — I’m very proud of them.”

At halftime of the boys basketball game against SPASH, a check was awarded for $5,560 to Andy Metcalf of Aspirus by the Lady Raiders.

The Lady Raiders, along with Bull’s Eye Credit Union staff handed over a $5,560 check to Andy Metcalf of Aspirus for the Aspirus Cancer Patient Fund on Tuesday night. (City Times Photo)

“I spoke to the them [players] about how it affects people and how they can’t afford their medications, treatment and transportation, and I really think it hit home with the kids,” said Metcalf. “It’s neat when you look out and see the pink t-shirts, but the kids really understand how it impacts people’s lives.”

During the check presentation, Lady Raider Alyssa Huglen gave a very special thanks to Bull’s Eye Credit Union for their efforts.

“I just want to give a very special thanks to Dave Stark of Bull’s Eye Credit Union, who has done a great job to support programs in Wisconsin Rapids and Stevens Point, and we can’t thank them enough for their help,” said Huglen.