Tickets on sale for BHS alumni game to benefit bus driver

The organizers of the Bigfork High School Alumni Basketball Games are asking that anyone interested in attending the event, which will be held March 21, purchase their tickets by next Wednesday, March 18, or sooner if possible.

The alumni women will take on members of the girls basketball team, who recently returned from the state tournament after placing second at the Northwest A Divisional Championship, at 2 p.m. and the men will take on members of the boys varsity team at 3:30 p.m. at the BHS gym.

Brumar Estates and the Garden Bar will provide a spaghetti dinner in the Bigfork Middle School cafeteria following the games at about 5 p.m.

"It's very generous of them to offer to donate the food for the event," said Matt Porrovecchio, BHS assistant activities director who is helping to organize the event. "Now we just need to make sure to get a head-count for our food prep so we don't have waste or not enough for everyone."

Male alumni players scheduled to participate are Porrovecchio, Brock Dahlman, Ron Pierce, Fred Hansen, Randy Gembala, Rod Gembala, Josh Searcy, Raul Rodriguez, David Creamer, Dustin Henion, Paul Henion, Casey Bygren, Keo Slemberger, Josh Moler, Mike Wolstein, Sean Gilchrest and Andy Whiteman.

Female alumni players scheduled to participate are Brenda Jordt (Gembala), Cindy Houtonen (Hansen), Debbie Thurman (Hansen), Tracy Wicklund (Hansen), Catherine Converse (Mason), Kelly Balgos (Byers), Tanya McAnnally (Potts), Kelly Dittmer (Hendrickson), Kelly Sinclair (Burton), Sara Childers (Hullett), Stacey Kelch (Hullett), Rhonda Kastelitz (Hullett) and Breeze Hoveland.

Tickets can be purchased at Electric Avenue Gifts, Flathead Bank of Bigfork, Bigfork Drug, Sliter's of Bigfork and the BHS and BMS offices until next Wednesday. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.

Admission is $5 for students and seniors, $10 for adults and $25 for a family of up to five.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Maurice Dale, a Bigfork school bus driver who recently encountered medical problems. The school is hoping to make this an annual event, with proceeds going to benefit a different individual or group in the community each year.

"Everything is coming together really well," Porrovecchio said. "We're hoping we have a good turnout to support the players and help raise money for Maurice's family."