More than 700 fans from two area Catholic schools filled the St. Mary Magdalene School gym to overflowing on Friday, Jan. 28, for an evening of basketball with a greater purpose.

The girls’ and boys’ varsity middle school teams from St. Mary Magdalene School in Apex and St. Michael School in Cary competed in the Third Annual Hoops for Hunger to benefit Western Wake Crisis Ministry. St. Mary Magdalene girls’ team won with a score of 33-18. St. Michael boys’ team won in an overtime thriller, 53-49.

The most important tally of the night, however, was the amount raised for the needy in our area: $2,133 and more than 1000 pounds of food.

Don McKee, St. Mary Magdalene boys’ basketball coach, began Hoops for Hunger three years ago when he started coaching at the school. He had participated in a similar program in Ohio where he coached prior to moving to Apex.

McKee feels the program is one way to carry out his coaching motto, “Teaching the game of basketball and faith through Christ.” His goal is for the kids to see beyond the athletic competition and gain awareness that others in our area are not fortunate as they are.

“It was important to these kids to play the game, not only for competition, but because they wanted to be a part of raising money for a great cause,” said McKee.

He also began the program to promote a friendly rivalry between the schools. “It is very touching to see the two schools come together for this event. We even had high school kids return for the event. It says a lot about our community – I am blessed and honored to be a part of it,” he said.

McKee has even bigger plans for next year. He hopes to make it a weekend event with multiple teams and raise more money for Western Wake Crisis Ministry.