They may be enemies on the court, but for one evening the two Penticton high schools came together for a charity close to many of their hearts.
On Thursday, the Pen High Lakers basketball team played the Princess Margaret Secondary School Mustangs in the third annual Cross City for Kaylee, with admission fees going towards the Kaylee Hero Fund.
“It’s a great game for a great cause. It’s great that community can come together and do something like this,” said Beau Chetner, who plays for the Lakers. “Even thought it’s different schools, and enemies, it is awesome that we can come together, like I said, for a great cause.”
In 2015, 16-year-old Kaylee Kozari-Bowland died after a nine-month battle with cancer. Despite the aggressive treatment of Kaylee’s cancer, doctor’s were unable to stop its spread.
Related: Penticton teen loses battle to cancer
Her legacy continues in the community through Kaylee’s Hero Fund, a charity managed by the Penticton and District Community Resources Society that provides financial support to local families fighting childhood cancer.
Related: Kaylee’s Hero Fund carries legacy
After losing the first two years of the annual charity match, the Lakers pulled out the victory beating the Mustangs 79-39. It was a packed house at the the Pen High gym, making the game even more exciting for the players.
“Every time we hit a shot and you hear the crowd, you just want to keep hitting shots. It makes a big difference,” said Mustangs player Bryn Carter.