Columbiana County basketball teams host benefit game for cancer research

LISBON, Ohio - Two high school girls' basketball teams in Columbiana County have put their rivalry aside and came together to raise money for a cause.
Rival teams, Lisbon Blue Devils and Leetonia Bears went head to head Thursday night for a benefit game raising funds for pediatric cancer research.
All proceeds from ticket, t-shirt and raffle sales went to the Melina Michele Edenfield Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to raising money for pediatric cancer research and named after Lisbon's principal's daughter who died of pediatric cancer at the young age of four.
"The Edenfields went through a major tragedy, and they're able to take that tragedy and turn it into as much of a positive as it could be where Melina is never going to be forgotten and she's still going to have an impact," said Lisbon Girls' Basketball Coach, Ryan Snyder.
Lisbon Girls' Basketball senior, Parker Henthorne says that even though Lisbon and Leetonia are rival schools, the goal tonight was not to win, but to raise as much money as possible.
"We obviously are coming together even though we're supposed to be rivals, and I think it's nice that we can all just come together and play together as two teams playing for a great cause," Henthorne said.
Hundreds of dollars were raised at Thursday's game, but that's just the beginning, as the boys varsity teams will be holding another benefit game on Friday, Jan. 28.
Friday's game will benefit community members affected by cancer.
If you would like to donate to the non-profit, click here.