By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times
The rivalry between East and West Carter is as old as the two schools. Some might say as old as the cities of Grayson and Olive Hill, or of Carter and Beckham Counties. But as much as rivalries might divide us, the competition can also bring us together. It can show us what we have in common with, and what we admire in, our rivals. And last Thursday, it reminded us that despite our rivalries, we’re all one community.
Though the Comets and the Raiders were competitors that evening, both teams wore variations on the same shirt during warm-up and on the bench – either Raider blue or Comet maroon with the shared phrase, “Together, We Fight.”
The message was one of support for families who have battled or are battling the foe of childhood cancer.
At halftime two members of the East Carter cheerleading squad, Addison Tiller and Tessa Goble, explained to the crowd the significance of the event that evening.
“Tonight, we pause to recognize and honor families in Carter County (who) have been affected by childhood cancer,” Tiller said.
“Each year, the number of children diagnosed with cancer increases slightly,” Goble added. “In 2024 it is estimated that over 10,000 children in the U.S. under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer.”
“Unfortunately,” Goble continued, “there have been very (few) improvements in treatment and care for children with cancer over the last 20 years, and government funding remains at only four percent,” or, she explained, less than $3 per child fighting cancer.
The pair, both of whom are participating in the University of Kentucky’s and Markey Cancer Center’s Appalachian Career Training in Oncology program, went on to note the low survival rate for many types of cancer and that – even for more common and treatable types of cancer – one in five children won’t survive past their five year diagnosis without at least dealing with some major side effects associated with their treatment.
The solution, they said, was research and funding for that research.
“By raising awareness, and fundraising for research, we can change the future for kids with cancer and their families,” Tiller said.
The students took time to thank community members and businesses who supported their awareness and fundraising efforts, including Womack Household Services, The Eastern KY Hemp Company, All American Graphics, and the boosters for providing the shirts for the teams and cheer squads, and the basketball fans who supported their fundraising efforts with donations or t-shirt purchases.
The girls then asked the crowd to join them in a moment of silence to honor those families.
Family members present included Noah and Haley Womack and family; Jordan, Easton, and Erica Parsons; Jerrika Hall with Cameron, Clay, and Lydia; Ann, Juliette, and Emma Russell; and Stephen Amburgey.
The students also wished Tyra Hamilton a “happy heavenly birthday” on what would have been her 18th, and said they were honored her family was able to join them in her honor.
Halftime also honored members of the East Carter Unified Basketball team, where kids of different ability levels – including students with physical and/or cognitive disabilities – play together on the same team. East Carter’s Unified Club is one of only three in the state of Kentucky, and a few
hundred across the nation.
East Carter took the win at home, with a 65-53 victory over the Comets.
Blake Hall and Evan Goodman led the Raiders with 17 points each – with Hall delivering eight field goals on 18 attempts and one free throw, and Goodman hitting three of his eight two-point attempts and two of six three-pointers, along with five free throws on seven attempts. Gavin Sexton added another nine points on a pair of threes, a two-point field goal, and a free throw. Quention Johnson added eight points on a pair of threes and a pair of free throws. Ty Scott added eight as well, on a single two-pointer and a pair of three-pointers. Scott Tate added six points to the total with three two-point baskets.
On the Comets’ side, Nathan Webb led the West team with 14 points on two field goals, two three-pointers, and four free throws. Brett Dailey and Jacob Waddell each added another 12 points to the total with Waddell going to the basket six times for two-points each, and Dailey adding a pair of two-pointers, a pair of three-pointers, and a pair of free throws to match his teammate’s numbers. Brody Boggs added another six points on a couple of three-pointers, while Nick Parker and Braydon DeHard each scored a single three-pointer, and Wade Lawson added a pair of free throws to the mix.
The East Carter team currently sits in eighth place in the region, with a 7 – 7 win-loss record, while West Carter is currently in twelfth place with a 5 – 9 record.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com