West Chicago planning Midnight Madness to open basketball season

West Chicago High School will open its basketball season with its own version of Midnight Madness at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the school's Bishop Gym at 326 Joliet St.

The three basketball teams - boys, girls and Special Olympic - will be featured along with poms and cheerleaders. Gordon Edmund, a stage hypnotist and magician also will perform. The evening is being planned by the school's Sports and Entertainment Marketing class.

The evening will feature numerous events for students, including hot shot, an obstacle course, blindfold basketball and a scavenger hunt. There also will be a karaoke contest for teachers.

Raffle tickets went on sale in the cafeteria on Monday for prizes that include:

• A one-week stay at any Silverleaf Resort in the country (a $1,500 value);

• Two Chicago Bears tickets to the Monday night game against the New Orleans Saints ($150 value);

• A one-night stay at the Marriot Hotel in St. Charles ($156 value);

• A one-night party package at Bowling Green ($226 value);

• A Chicago Sky BallKid package that features four tickets, a Sky basketball, a Sky T-shirt and drawstring bag ($85 value);

• A Chicago Sky Adult package that features four tickets, a Sky basketball, a Sky T-shirt and drawstring bag, and a Pokey Chapman bobblehead ($85 value);

• Two Joe Cotton Ford bean bag boards with eight bags ($80 value).

The raffle tickets cost $1 each; seven for $5; 20 for $10; or an arm's length for $20.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting Dan McCarthy at dmccarthy@d94.org. The winning tickets will be drawn at the conclusion of the event.

Admission tickets can be purchased for $5 from Sports and Entertainment Marketing class students during all lunch hours or at the door. Proceeds will be donated to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.