Baskets for Bokelman benefits coach

"Five-hundred and fifty dollars for just one day's work is amazing," Kelly Horn said of Saturday's fundraising for Lady Panthers head coach Scott Bokelman.

Bokelman was recently diagnosed with thyroid lymphoma and is currently recovering from surgery in Scottsbluff, Neb. under the care of his brother, who is a nurse.

"The girls were the ones, right from the get-go, who said 'Can we please do something for coach?'" Horn said on Monday. The team and coaches borrowed an idea from Hanna's halftime charity shoots to start what they are calling Baskets for Bokelman, they also started a donation box called Bucks for Bokelman.

The first halftime shoot of this season was held during the Saratoga boy's varsity game Saturday and the event will continue at every home game for the rest of the season. The Bucks for Bokelman box can be found at the concessions stand during games.

During halftime, fans at the game were asked to pay $1 per shot with the chance to win a soft drink. The call was answered with $438 in donations including $100 put up by the Southeast booster club.

An additional $112 was collected in the donation box at the concessions stand during the games.

Enough soft drinks have been donated to keep the event going for the rest of the basketball season. Local businesses The Country Store, Kum & Go and Valley Foods provided the sodas and Gatorade.