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The game's participants posed for a picture with Devon (next to Coach Fazzary, right center) after it was over. (Photo by Don Romeo)

WGHS varsity, faculty play basketball for Devon Shaw

WATKINS GLEN, May 12 -- They turned out -- friends, family and admirers of Devon Shaw -- to help raise funds Saturday night for Devon and his family.

They were raising those funds through a basketball game pitting the Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball squad against school faculty. It was played in the WGHS Field House gymnasium.

The event -- whose proceeds are going to Devon and his family to help defray costs associated with his ongoing fight against cancer -- was organized by Helen Thompson and Linda Gregory. According to the game program, those making contributions for a raffle included Kyle Stephens, Mr. Chicken, Pine Valley Farms, Schoolyard Sugarbush, Edna Johnson, Lisa and Joshua Navone, Kathy Mangus, Lakes Gas and Helen Thompson.

The boys squad -- led by Devon as a coach made up (complete with skull cap and mustache) to look like regular boys basketball coach John Fazzary -- featured players Kody Gregory, Josh Teeter, Jesse Teeter, Tony Keough, Gavin Gates, Brady Myers, Devon Bond, Colin Gates, Keith Rekczis and Adam Tuttle. The real Fazzary was playing on the faculty squad.

In addition to Fazzary, the faculty was represented by Jamie Pokerwinski, Ralph Diliberto, Travis Durfee, Alicia Learn, Colin Pritchard, Trevor Holland, Sam Brubaker, Nils Watson, Rod Weeden, Tyler Lattin, Phil Watson, Chris Hong, Jim Somerville and Justin Mucitelli.

Referees were District Attorney Joe Fazzary and Watkins Glen Mayor Mark Swinnerton. School Superintendent Tom Phillips was the announcer.

Admission to the event was through a donation at the door -- the size determined personally by each attendee.

The game itself was a back-and-forth affair thanks to some creative scoreboard maneuvering.

The boys team led 42-27 at halftime against the winded faculty, but the score was reversed at the outset of the second half, giving the faculty the lead. With the faculty up 50-31 at one point, the contest tightened when the scorekeeper gave the boys team three points for each layup in a stretch of several minutes.

The game ultimately went to the boys 62-59, but that was hardly the point. It was an evening of fun and community camaraderie as friends, family and admirers of Devon Shaw gathered to show their support for his fight against cancer and to contribute some cash for its financing.

Photos in text:

Top: Watkins Glen Elementary School Principal Rod Weeden fights to get off a shot.

Middle: Devon Shaw with girlfriend Chelsea Lehman, left, and friend Jessica Stansfield. (Top two photos by Don Romeo)

Bottom: Green nets -- in keeping with the green that marks support for Devon's fight -- were affixed to the baskets for the game. They were found online and ordered from there.

Left: District Attorney Joe Fazzary, left, served as a referee. Right: Watkins Glen Mayor Mark Swinnerton was also a referee.

Left: Faculty member Trevor Holland sends a shot on its way. Right: The faculty's Jim Somerville gets open for a shot. (Both photos by Don Romeo)

From left: Varsity member Colin Gates drives to the hoop, varsity's Brady Myers is fouled as he attempts a shot, and one of the Defense for Devon T-shirts. (Left photo by Don Romeo)

Left: Varsity basketball player Josh Teeter with girlfriend Samantha Gill. Right: Devon Shaw poses with his sister, Kendra.