Two Center Grove seniors organize the second annual Jasper Strong Shootout Cancer 3V3 Tournament
By Nicole Davis
Last year’s Jasper Strong Shootout Cancer 3V3 Tournament went beyond event coordinator Olivia Wright’s expectations. Starting with a goal of $2,500, she quickly upped that to $10,000 due to the immense amount of community support she received. It was a goal they exceeded, bringing in $12,000.
This year, the Center Grove High School senior is upping the goal to $20,000. She and her friend Emma Jones, also a senior, are co-coordinating the second annual Jasper Strong basketball tournament, taking place Feb. 23 and 24 at Emmanuel Church in the Fieldhouse.
“We’re working together to make it even better than last year,” Wright said.
The cost to play is $50 per team, from first grade to adult leagues. Those interested were able to purchase a T-shirt, hoodie or long-sleeve shirt or even a customized team T-shirt.
“I am excited to see if we’re going to get the same or bigger turnout,” Wright said. “It’s been really good so far. A lot of people are super excited and wanting to be part of it, even more so than last year.”
The event started as a project for Wright’s English composition class last year, where she was assigned to create a research project. Her brother’s friend, then-sixth grader Jasper Lenglade, had been diagnosed with leukemia the year before. He is still undergoing treatment at Riley Hospital for Children. Proceeds of the event go to helping the family through this time.
Wright and Jones have been asking for sponsors for the event to reach this year’s goal of $20,000 and have received strong support from companies such as Chic-fil-A in Greenwood. They are promoting the event through Facebook, Twitter and their Website, jasperstong3v3.weebly.com. A list of business/personal sponsors can be found on the Facebook page. Those interested in sponsorship ay email jasperstrong3v3@gmail.com.
