Teaming up for good cause

The girls basketball teams from St. Charles North and East high schools will face off later this week in a fierce rivalry, but players from both squads got together Sunday as part of the same team.

The players hosted the annual Hoops for Hope basketball clinic to benefit the Lazarus House homeless shelter in St. Charles.

"It's a way to keep the two schools connected," said Mike Klopmeyer, a North booster who, with his wife, Susan, organized the event.

About 125 elementary and middle schools girls from St. Charles attended the afternoon program at North high school. The high school players put the young girls through a comprehensive series of ball-handling and shooting drills.

"We're teaching the fundamentals," said Kelsey Smith, the St. Charles North team's center.

Smith said the matchup with her opponents at East promises to be tough.

"A lot of us are friends," Smith said. "This is a chance to see each other in a less competitive atmosphere."

Many of the players from both high schools were teammates in the St. Charles Storm girls basketball program.

Brooke Magee and Shannon Kennedy, both juniors from the East team, have been playing basketball together since they were in second grade. Sunday, they teamed up to teach the younger girls.

"We're showing them how to have fun, and how to play the sport," Kennedy said.

St. Charles North girls basketball coach Katie Sauber liked seeing so many future prospects running through drills.

"We just want to make sure that they enjoy themselves and stick with basketball," Sauber said.

The girls paid $25 each to attend the clinic. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be presented to Lazarus House at Saturday's basketball game.