MUSTANGS RUN WILD IN CHARITY HOOPS GAME
Orwell, OH- The Grand Valley Mustangs and the Champion Golden Flashes came together for a preseason exhibition game with a greater purpose – to support pediatric oncology at Rainbows Babies and Children Hospital. The event was dedicated to honoring Grand Valley senior Logan Zirzow, who bravely faced a diagnosis of Large B-cell Lymphoma in August. Despite not being able to play, Zirzow remains an integral part of the team and continues to attend games during his recovery.
The gym was filled to capacity, reflecting the community’s strong support. Baskets were raffled off, with all proceeds directed towards the Rainbows Babies and Children oncology department. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of unity and a shared commitment to a meaningful cause.
As the game unfolded, the Grand Valley Mustangs demonstrated their prowess on the court. In the 1st quarter, they took an early lead with a score of 29-13. The 2nd quarter saw them extend their advantage to 47-29. The Champion Golden Flashes fought back in the 3rd quarter, but Grand Valley maintained their lead at 59-48. The final quarter solidified the Mustangs’ dominance, with a conclusive score of 78-62.
Individual performances shone through for the Grand Valley Mustangs. Bobby Rogers led the scoring with an impressive 25 points, closely followed by Sammy Goforth with 17 points. Anthony Eason contributed 11 points, while Jerry Schultz and Braden Hart added 9 points each. Payon Plizga chipped in with 7 points. Notably, both Bobby Rogers and Jerry Schultz made significant contributions on the defensive end, securing numerous rebounds and blocking multiple shots.
For the Champion Golden Flashes, Christian Williams led the scoring with 17 points, supported by Marky Nolan with 15 points. Jake Andreatta added 9 points, while Carson Fife contributed 9 points. Khalil Gray, Braylon Braham, and Ian Orwig also made valuable contributions to the team’s effort.
Beyond the scoreboard, the true victory was the community’s collective effort to make a positive impact on pediatric oncology, exemplifying the power of sports to bring people together for a meaningful cause.
