by Tristan Escobar
On Saturday October 26th, 2024, Canada Topflight Academy (CTA), known for creating elite level men’s prep basketball teams for ages 17-21, hosted their 8th annual cancer fundraiser basketball event at Notre Dame High School in Ottawa.
Algonquin College’s radio station, CKDJ 107.9 was on site to broadcast and commentate on the CTA home basketball games and fundraiser event so that fans, family and friends who couldn’t attend the event itself had the opportunity to listen in.
As Algonquin College Broadcasting Program students, my fellow broadcaster Jordan Hachey and I were in attendance as part of the CKDJ 107.9 crew to broadcast the games live. It was an amazing day that we will never forget.
The event’s doors opened at 11:30 am and featured two exciting high-level basketball games.
The atmosphere in the Notre Dame gym was electric as the crowd cheered on the CTA players. Before each game, the school announcer called out the starting lineups for both teams.
As someone who has attended many basketball games, I can attest that the spectators at the event were one of the loudest crowds I’ve ever heard. It was incredible to be part of the experience!
The first game was ONL Rise versus CTA Black and the second game saw two of CTA’s best teams facing off against each other, CTA Red versus CTA Gold.
It was a very entertaining afternoon as the two games did not disappoint. CTA Black played a nail-biting game with a tied score heading into halftime however they came back to win the game against ONL Rise, 88 to 76.
The second game between CTA Gold and CTA Red was also very close. CTA Gold won 81-78 in a very tight game with CTA Red leading the majority of the game. CTA Gold turned it around scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter for the big win.
At the end of the second game, Jordan and I had the pleasure of interviewing two of the top players from the CTA Gold team, Dylan Kayijuka and Greg Pantazopoulos. They were both incredibly honored to be a part of the event and were proud of their team’s hard work and all of the training they have been putting in throughout the season and continue to do so.
The fundraiser event was sponsored by Milano’s Pizza where every slice of pizza purchased by anyone at the event would go directly to charity.
Nike also supplied the players with CTA fights cancer t-shirts.
Coach Adam Blandford and CANAM Strength-Conditioning also supported the event by giving a generous donation for the cause.
Proceeds from the “CTA Fights Cancer” basketball games were donated to cancer services in Ottawa in honor of the late CTA members, Rosie Warden, Jim Bosley and Rita Gaetand, who fought courageously and made a big difference to the basketball community.
Before the games began, CTA kindly gave flowers, a Milano’s pizza gift card, chocolates and a thank you card to the recipient’s family members who were in attendance.
The CTA Fights Cancer fundraiser has been ongoing for many years and the event will certainly get bigger and attract larger crowds with its bright future. CKDJ 107.9 FM was grateful to experience this event and is excited to continue broadcasting the games in the years to come.
Image:
- Canada Topflight Academy (@Canada Topflight Academy) Image of CTA Fights Cancer. Facebook, October 15 at 8:05, Image of CTA Fights Cancer
Source:
- Canada Topflight Academy, (n.d), Stack Sports, Canada Topflight Academy: Powered by GOALLINE
- Canada Topflight Academy (@Canada Topflight Academy), April 19, 2016, Facebook Account, Facebook Account
- Canada Topflight Academy (@canada_topflight_academy), May 2016, Instagram Account, CTA (@canada_topflight_academy) • Instagram photos and videos
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