Hard-fought victory for daughters over mothers

KENT — It was close,  but in the end the daughters won out against their mothers at the sixth annual Mother-Daughter Basketball Game at Kent Center School on Friday, Feb. 19.

This year’s contest brought out around 100 fans. Ticket sales  for the event benefit the Jane Lloyd Fund, which was founded five years ago in memory of a young woman from Salisbury who died in 2005 after an eight-year battle with breast cancer.

The fund helps cancer patients pay for day-to-day living expenses.

Organizer and breast cancer survivor Mary Ann VanValkenburg was the coach for the mothers team.

“Our strategy for the game is to not have any injuries,†VanValkenburg said. “The truth is that we don’t have any strategies at all. Our job tonight will be to have fun and raise money for a good cause.â€

Girls team coach Debbie Morin was tightlipped about her team’s strategy.

“It’s all a secret, no comment,†she said.

But she was happy to comment on the importance of the annual event.

“Ever since this was started, it has helped form a bond between the mothers and their daughters,†Morin said. “This fund is very important, especially because the younger generation needs to be aware of breast cancer.â€

Though the coaches were secretive about the team strategies, mother Jessica Meissner was happy to share her own strategy for facing off against her daughter, 12-year-old Courtney — who looked like she was more than ready to get her game on.

“This game will be no-holds-barred,†Jessica Meissner said. “There will be hair pulling.â€

“I think our team’s strategy is to not hurt them,†her daughter said. “We will tire them out.â€

In the end, the daughters team had a surprise up their collective sleeves.

Former Kent Center School student Lauren Brady, who is now a senior at Kent School, entered the game — and brought some of her high school teammates with her.

In the end, the daughters won  24 to 21.

“It was very close,†VanValkenburg said after the game ended. “Many of those Kent School players were a lot taller than I am, with some of them standing at 6 feet tall.

“They kind of weaseled their way in for a couple of minutes.â€

But, she noted, “there’s always next year.â€

In the end, though, the scores were less important than the money raised for the Jane Lloyd Fund. This year’s game raised $1,087.01; $178 of that came from a bake sale organized by student Hazel Garrity.

For more information on the Jane Lloyd fund, go online to thejanelloydfund.org.

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