A crosstown basketball rivalry will include a fundraiser that’s much bigger than basketball this season.
Skylar Napier, in her sixth year as head coach of Waynesboro’s varsity girls’ basketball team, recently announced that the Little Giants matchup with the Staunton Storm on Dec. 19 will serve as a fundraiser for Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry (WARM) executive director Alec Gunn.
A 1991 graduate of Waynesboro, as well as a former Army sergeant, Gunn has coached track, football, wrestling and basketball at Waynesboro as well as Fishburne.
Gunn was diagnosed with liver cancer and needs a transplant.
Gunn and Napier both attend the same church, but their relationship spans decades prior.
“I’ve known him since I was younger,” Napier said. “He was really good friends with one of my best friends growing up, and then (Gunn was) always interacting with the sports and the youth. I feel like it’s another important thing going on. Anything I can do to help Alec — or anyone for that matter — bring awareness to our community while trying to help Alec is why we do it.”
Napier usually tries to do two games a season to raise money for certain causes. Past fundraising games have included benefits for breast cancer, mental health awareness and pediatric cancer.
The contest will begin at 6 p.m. There will be no junior varsity contest preceding the varsity game. The proceeds from the raffle will be split 50/50 between Gunn and the raffle winner.
Napier is hoping that the cause will provide extra motivation for people to come out and enjoy the rivalry game between Staunton and Waynesboro.
“Everyone in our community, past the (geographic) community, just anyone who wants to help should come out,” Napier said. “Anyone who wants more information or just wants to show support. We’re going to give the other half (of the raffle money) to Alec to use whatever he needs for his health journey. We are going to bring awareness for Alec, who needs a liver transplant. We need people to see if they are a match to be a donor.”
Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
