Ryan Tokar, CYA Basketball
On Sunday, January 23, Catoctin Youth Association (CYA) Basketball held its annual shoot-a-thon fundraiser. This is the largest annual fundraiser for the program. Proceeds go towards necessities like gym rentals, uniforms, equipment, paid officials, and league fees. With the cancelation of its previous season due to COVID-19, it was critical to offset some of the losses in registration fees. The community came out in support of the program in a BIG way. This year’s shoot-a-thon brought in over $13,500 in online and cash donations, one of the largest amounts raised in CYA Basketball history!
The idea behind the shoot-a-thon is simple. Players collect money from sponsors for a chance to win prizes. To be eligible for prizes, each player must raise at least $50.00; however, they can continue to raise additional money above and beyond that. Prizes are given out to the top overall fundraisers and to the players who have the highest overall percentage of shots made. The number of shots attempted is based on the age group of the player, with anywhere from 20 to 100 shots being attempted. In most cases, shots are attempted from the free throw line; however, the younger ages are moved in several feet closer and shoot on lowered rims. CYA Basketball programs consist of youths ages kindergarten all the way through high school. The boys and girls high school teams served as volunteers to help record the scores for younger players.
The winners of this year’s highest shooting percentage were: Levi Baker—Highest Overall Percentage Foul Shooter; K-1st Clinic—Bryce Yocum; Girl’s 2nd-4th—Peyton Willis; Boy’s 2nd-4th—Luke Wiles; U12 Boys/Girls—Eli McFarland; U14 Boys/Girls—Gage Eyler; Mid MD Boys/Girls—Harley Fitzpatrick. Overall fundraising winners were: 1st Place—Kaydense Cox; 2nd Place— Evan Laird; 3rd Place—Skylar Stidom.
Winners were each awarded a Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card for their prize. The teams with the most overall donations also earned a free pizza party.
Along with the $13,500 raised, the league also collected several hundred non-perishable goods, which were donated to the Thurmont/Emmitsburg Food Banks to help those in need. Players received raffle tickets for each item they donated, and there were three great prize baskets given away. Tyler Creel won the Movie Basket, featuring a Warehouse Cinemas Gift Card and all the snacks you need for a movie night. Brayden Rickerd won the Baseball Basket, which included a free Thurmont Little League registration with other baseball-themed items. Kathleen Davis won the Football Basket, with a free CYA Football/Cheer registration and other items.
Throughout the afternoon, there were activities that included music, a face painter, and team/individual photos. All in all, it was a great day and a wonderful event.
CYA Basketball would like to thank the community, parents, and volunteers for their support. Without you, it would not have been such a tremendous success.
Courtesy Photos
