The foursome of (from left) Amanda Coveyou and Kayla Gustin of St. Ignace and Ashley Sweeney and Billie McLeod of Cedarville were teammates at this year's St. Ignace Red Hacker competition. During the 2008-2009 season, however, the Saints and Trojans will soon battle on the hardwood. Competition between them will include a game to benefit the new hospital's oncology department, to be played at LaSalle High School Wednesday, January 21, 2009. The St. Ignace Saints and Cedarville Trojans girls basketball teams will play in a "Hooping for the Cure - Make it Possible" game to benefit the oncology department at the new hospital to be built in St. Ignace. The game will be played at LaSalle High School Wednesday, January 21, 2009.

Coach Dorene Ingalls and her Saints, and Sonja Duncan and her Trojans, will wear uniforms to signify the benefit.

Uniforms will be purchased by sponsors for $100. Each sponsor will receive a long sleeve Tshirt with the event logo and a ticket to the event. Those who may want to be sponsors for the Saints-Trojans uniforms can contact Kathy Marshall at the St. Ignace school (906) 643-8145.

Pre-sale game tickets will be available for $15 and include a Tshirt, while additional shirts can be purchased on the evening of the game.

The evening will include a 50/50 raffle and silent auction. Anyone who would like to donate items to the silent auction may contact Kim Latva at 643- 8886 or drop off their donation at First National Drive-In Bank in St. Ignace. In Cedarville, contact Bob Smith at 484-2456.

A souvenir program will include team photographs, rosters, and a list of sponsors, as well as notes in honor and in memory of individuals who have had cancer.

Dr. Edward Smith of Northern Michigan Regional Hospital and Mackinac Straits Hospital, Rod Nelson, CEO at Mackinac Straits Hospital, and members of the hospital board are supporting "Hooping for the Cure" and will be part of the event.

"The event is an outstanding idea and for a great cause," said Dr. Smith. He pointed out that of every 18 women - the number of players on both the St. Ignace and Cedarville basketball team rosters - two will develop breast cancer in their lifetimes.