(Banner Staff Photo by Doc Smith) Lady Panther, Ally Covalt, gives her mom, Cindy, a hug after presenting her with a pink autographed basketball from the Lady Panthers during a pre-game ceremony at the Coaches vs. Cancer game against Tatum last week. The Bullard Lady Panthers embarked on a mission supporting Coaches Vs Cancer this last Friday night, as BHS took a sweep over Tatum in District 17-3A play.

Before the game, Tatum joined in by wearing pink T-shirts, and both the Panthers boys and girls teams sported pink headbands and socks to show their support on the court.

However, it was off the court that made the difference at the game, as the Lady Panthers collected a combined $1,600-plus in a group effort.

“Kala (Morrow) and Nanci (Dixon), the BHS volleyball coaches, had their girls doing some sales and donations and Mrs. Spears and Minta really got the drama department involved, and it really grew into quite an event,” said the head girls hoops coach, Greg Gay.

“Minta did a lot of extra work with the headbands and socks for the team, and the entire student body and community really showed a lot of support packing out the gym,” Gay added.

The drama club alone chipped in a hard- earned $414 to the cause, and the volleyball team added in another $460 to the count.

Donation basketballs were posted at one end of the floor for all money donations made, while T-Shirts and wristbands were sold throughout the game.T

he American Cancer Society has flourished monetarily, due in part to different programs that have taken on the fight against cancer.

This past weekend, coaches nationwide used a wide variety of fundraisers and charity causes to support the never-ending battle against cancer.

“It all started back when Norm Stewart (former Missouri coach) had been battling cancer for a while,” Bullard head girls head basketball coach Greg Gay began. “He began by getting people to donate freely and then Jim Valvano passed on due to cancer, but started the Jimmy ‘V’ Foundation as just one of the many avenues the American Cancer Society has for support, as well as from the NBA, NCAA and other sports venues.”

The Lady Panthers tried to get the program implemented last season, but just didn’t have the time to get it started. This year was a different situation, with added incentive.

“We all knew on the team last year about Mrs (Cindy) Covalt and her battle with cancer, and we wanted to do something last year,” said team captain, Minta Spears, “but this year we made sure that we got it going early on, and it has been an inspiration to the team to see Mrs Covalt put up the fight the way she has and is always so positive around the team…it’s just amazing.”

And in the words of Cindy Covalt a few weeks ago, “the only way to get through something like cancer is family, friends, and faith.”

Mrs. Covalt said after the presentation, “I am so proud of the girls, and what they did, I think, really set a precedence and awareness for the school and community,” Coavalt said. “Just how far cancer research has come, and with their volunteer help and donations, it really can make a big difference.”

Great job, BHS, in your aboveand beyond the call support of the American Cancer Society.