Youngsters Put on Full Court Press to Battle Heart Disease

Adalberto Morales’ team lost the basketball game, but the seventh-grader’s effort may help win the battle against heart disease.

Joining nearly 200 students at Oxnard’s Robert J. Frank Intermediate School, Adalberto played hoops Friday to raise money for the American Heart Assn.

“Many people are in danger of dying,” said Adalberto, 13, adding that heart disease claimed the life of his aunt two years ago. “I hope this will encourage groups to donate more.”

The school expects to raise about $500 for the association by the time the playoffs in the “Hoops for Heart” basketball fund-raiser end Monday. Event organizer Tammi Spencer, a school physical education and yearbook instructor, said students had netted about $200 early Friday afternoon.

Many students forgot to collect their pledges this week because they were so jazzed by the prospect of competing in the round-robin tournament, she said.

Spencer said she told the students: “ ‘Yes, it’s fun. We’re playing basketball, but we also don’t want to forget that we’re trying to help others.’ ”

That message wasn’t lost on seventh-grader Irene Hernandez who had drummed up more than $30 in pledges from family members and friends.

“I was proud of myself,” said Irene, 12. “I know I was going to help someone.”

The Hoops for Heart tournament was the first of its kind in Ventura County, although communities across the country have held similar events. The association will use the money raised in Ventura County for local programs, including health education for businesses and schools, said volunteer Gail Rosenmund.

The tournament makes sense on several levels, Spencer said. “Exercise strengthens the heart,” she said as the players ran back and forth across the gym. “The two go hand in hand.”

First- and second-place winners will get medals after Monday’s playoffs. But players on teams that do not place will still have won something: the chance to get out of physical education class to participate in the tournament.

“I hate soccer,” said seventh-grader Adora DiLiello, referring to her P.E. class. “Basketball is more fun. You don’t have to kick the ball or anything.”

The event gave eighth-grader Hugo Marin a chance to serve as referee for the day--a job he said came with some unexpected challenges.

“I often have friends on both teams,” said Hugo, 14. “If you make a call, they get mad. You have to keep your eye on the game. You have to be a fair ref.”

Rosenmund said the event helps teach students about how they can get involved in community service.

“[The event] makes students think of the whole picture,” Rosenmund said. “It is also a fun activity for them to participate in.”