Coaches vs. cancer
Stangs lose at annual event
Solano College edged out Los Medanos 82-79 during the Coaches vs. Cancer men’s basketball game Friday, Jan 29.
The goal of the event was to raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society.
Both teams were equally tough competitors that played a strong, fast-paced game.
“We had a chance to win at the end but the ball didn’t bounce our way,” said Coach Derek Domenichelli.
LMC had a 4-point lead at the end of the first half but Solano tied the score 79-79 in the last few seconds of the second half. With 10 seconds left on the clock, the referees added two more, giving Solano just enough time to score with a long shot hit for a three-pointer and the win.
“We thought we were going to have our hands full tonight so luckily we chipped away the lead late and had one more last opportunity,” said Solano Head Coach John Nagle. “It was the kind of game whoever had the ball last probably was going to win.”
Despite the loss, Domenichelli said the team “made some big shots down the stretch.”
The team also had stellar plays by team members, including Albert Waters who Domenichelli said was “our top player” for the night.
During half time, 20 children from Dreams Sports Academy played a game of basketball on the court. Dream Sports works with children in Pittsburg, teaching them to play baseball, softball, football, basketball, and to cheer lead. It has about 700 kids total in all in the sports programs.
Marshall Collins, the group’s president, who used to coach at LMC about six years ago, said he reached out to Domenichelli and “asked if our kids could come and play basketball during half time.”
The LMC Dance Team came to cheer throughout the contest and also performed dances at half time and at the end of the game.
Maurice the Mustang, the team’s mascot, honored fans with his presence and got the spectators in the stands in the mood for the game and the evening festivities.
Student Life Adviser Melina Rodriguez and a group of volunteers helped with putting up tables with decorations and filling the stands in the gym with pink, white and black balloons. In keeping with tradition, they also sold pink LMC T-shirts honoring those with Breast Cancer to raise money for the American Cancer Society. T-shirts were imprinted with Coaches vs. Cancer.
Volunteers sold and served refreshments of hot dogs, hot links, nachos, chili, candy, chips and drinks. Long pink bead necklaces, glow in the dark bangle bracelets, football whistles and pink mustaches were among some of the things that were given away.
The Mustangs’ next home game is Feb. 5 when they take on Yuba College. The team currently sports a record of 14-9 overall and 4-4 in conference.
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