This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Police officers and firefighters in Syracuse will test their hoops skills, but they hope the real winner will be 7-year-old Grant Goodsell, who is battling cancer.
Syracuse police Officer Erin Behm said the rival departments of the Davis County community will tip off 7 p.m. Friday at Syracuse Junior High School, 1450 S. 2000 West in Syracuse. All proceeds of the charity basketball game and a silent auction will go to help defray medical costs associated with Goodsell's four-times-a-week chemotherapy treatments.
Behm said the boy recent had his left arm amputated due to the fast-moving cancer, osteosarcoma, which has now spread into his lungs.
When his health permits, Goodsell attends first grade at Cook Elementary School.
Behm said the fundraising events are a testimony to "the strength and the courage Grant shows on a daily basis."
In addition to the game and auction, entertainment will be provided by the Utah Jazz Bear and the professional basketball team's dancers, Behm said.
"There will be autographed items from the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, BYU, the University of Utah and much more [up for auction]," Behm said.
For further information, contact the Syracuse Police Department at 801-825-4400 or Syracuse Fire Department at 801-614-9618.
Twitter: @remims