Brittany Strachan has witnessed lofty highs and the lowest of lows in four years playing for State’s women’s basketball team. She attended the memorial service for one coach and played in the ACC title game with another.
And now, days before the Wolfpack takes on Florida State in the sixth annual Hoops 4 Hope basketball game, an event that has swelled beyond recognition during her time at State, Strachan is taking a chance to look back.
“I’m very reflective,” Strachan said. “I’m trying to soak in every second. It’s coming to a close. This is my last opportunity to do something as great as fighting breast cancer, at least as a part of this team.”
Hoops for Hope, originally dreamed up by Yow during her second bout with cancer, honors those who have fought cancer, stresses the importance of early detection of the disease and raises money for research.
Last year’s event raised more than $50,000 for the WBCA/Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The game has been broadcast on national television and sold out, or at least come close, several times in recent years. Former Yow players reconvene so that they may honor their late coach.
For the first time, nearly half of the Wolfpack’s roster is comprised of athletes Yow didn’t recruit as the team goes for its fifth consecutive Hoops 4 Hope victory this Sunday at 1 p.m.
Freshman Devin Griffin said that doesn’t mean the importance of the event is lost on them. The upperclassmen wouldn’t allow it.
“I talked to my teammates about it,” Griffin said. “It really means a lot to them, so it means a lot to us. As freshmen, we didn’t really know a lot about Coach Yow, so to hear them talk about her and say a lot of exciting things about the event, makes it more fun and makes it mean more to us.”
Senior Tia Bell said the incoming freshmen knew from the start how important the game was for the program.
“Before the season, we did get a chance to talk about it,” Bell said. “We showed them pictures and shared some stories. We told them it’s a very special event to be a part of. I don’t think they have a reason to be nervous. Coach Yow would be proud of them regardless.”
Bell will be sitting on the sidelines playing the role of “number one fan” for the second year in a row after knee surgery in November likely ended her season.
She plans to support the team as it tries to improve on a 1-5 ACC record and end a four-game conference skid, after its latest loss, an 84-77 decision at No. 16 Miami on Thursday. The team led No. 3 Duke by 18 points at the half on Sunday, but fell apart down the stretch.
With a more complete effort, Bell believes the team can finish hot as it did last season.
“We’re all motivated,” Bell said. “Coach [Harper] gave us a great quote yesterday: ‘a hard fall means a huge bounce, if you’re made of the right material.’ I think that’s our theme for the rest of the season. We’re known for catching fire at the end, so I’m just sitting back and waiting for it to happen.”
