When the Nansemond River girls basketball team steps onto the court to take on Deep Creek on Friday, the game will have a bigger meaning than just winning and losing.

The Lady Warriors will host their third annual “Hooping for a Cure” event in an effort to raise awareness and funding for breast cancer research.

“As females, I wanted the team to understand the importance of contributing to breast cancer research,” head coach R. Calvin Mason said. “I want them to get reeducated about it.”

The team hopes this year’s game will be bigger and better than the past two years, when they raised nearly $1,000 combined. Each team member has a patrons’ list of pledged donations, pink ribbons are sold, and more contributions are made from fans at the game. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

This will be the Lady Warriors’ second breast cancer event of the season, already having participated in the “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” Walk in October 2011.

“The team and I are excited to play in the game this year,” point guard Ashante Humphries said. “It feels good to be playing for a cause and not just for fun.”

To signify their support for the fight against breast cancer, players don pink T-shirts, along with pink shoelaces and hair ties. Signs are placed around the gym with messages of support for breast cancer victims and survivors.

During halftime, a representative from the American Cancer Society will tell people what they can do to support the cause.

— By Tray Mason, Correspondent