Coming off a Conference Carolinas loss to King (Tenn.) early in the week in which Converse posted season-highs in points (61), steals (16) and assists (17), the Valkyries will look to get back on track against another conference foe, Lees-McRae, Saturday Dec. 6 at 2pm. The Valkyries participated in Layup for Lauren during the preseason and have extended the invite to the Converse community at half time.
Layup for Lauren is a non-profit organization to fund research for DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Giloma) with the proceeds benefitting The Cure Starts Now Foundation. The Layup for Lauren challenge started because of 19 year old, Lauren Hill, freshman basketball player at Mount St. Joseph. Hill was diagnosed with DIPG, essentially ending all hopes of her playing collegiate basketball. Hill's strength and determination allowed her to compete in the first game of the season.
DIPG attacks the brainstem and nervous system creating symptoms such as double vision, inability to close the eyelids completely, dropping one side of the face, and difficulty chewing and swallowing. Less than 10% of children with this cancer will live longer than 18 months. Surviving this terrible cancer is rare.
The Layup for Lauren Challenge is spinning around five times and then attempt to make a layup with your non-dominant hand. The challenge simulates how Lauren Hill feels when she plays basketball and other activities. Converse Valkyries Athletics and Converse College SGA is giving the opportunity to those in the community the option to participate in the challenge during half time of the game against Lees-McRae.
Donations will be accepted during the game and at half time, with all the proceeds going to the Layup For Lauren organization.
Converse (1-3, 0-2 CC) will take on Lees-McRae (2-5, 1-2 CC) at 2pm, Dec. 6. Converse trails in the all-time series (4-16) with three of those victories coming in the confines of the Tom and Tracy Hannah Gym.
For more information on Layup For Lauren or DIPG please visit layupforlauren.org or thecurestartsnow.org