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City (NewsDakota.com) What may soon be an official Rally in the Valley event is coming back again this year. The VCHS Alumni Basketball and Band Jam will be held Saturday, June 16th. The Jam consists of the VCHS Reunion Marching Band performing in the annual Rally in the Valley parade plus an All 80’s and 90’s Alumni Basketball game to be held at the City Auditorium in Valley City.

“Two years ago, when a group of us put together the reunion marching band, we never imagined it would grow into an alumni basketball game and pep rally, but it did and it’s been so fun to put together,” says Susie Maresh Lloyd, one of the event’s organizers. After the band’s initial march down Central Avenue, alumni’s Rory Beil and Stacy Birchem Ingstad threw out the idea of having an alumni basketball game as well. “When I heard the band play those old songs in the parade, it instantly transported me back in time when I played basketball as a Hi-Liner, while the band rocked out the auditorium,” remarks Beil. “We knew we could capture it again and last year we did with the first ever 80’s and 90’s alumni basketball game.”

In fact, last year’s alumni basketball game raised over $1,200 in donations for the current band program at VCHS. The band was able to purchase items that would never be in the budget including handles for the marching cymbals, a new vibraslap, first time new concert castanets, two new crash cymbals and stands, which they have never had, a new bass drum and new heads for the tri-toms. This year all monies raised will go to VC Hi-Liner Athletics Booster Club. “We really want both the current music and athletic departments to benefit from what we are doing,” says Paula Bestge Klein, another organizer.

Due to the All 80’s Reunion also happening in town during the Rally in the Valley, the basketball game will be seeing some Hi-Liner all-stars returning to the court one more time, including Kami Anderson, twice named All-State in Girl’s Basketball for VCHS and Stanford’s 18th all-time leading scorer from 1985-1988 and teaching alum, Terry Stargardt, will also play, who at 54 years old can still dunk the ball. In addition, there will be a three point shooting contest at half-time pitting some all-star sharpshooters from the 80’s versus the 90’s. Greta Fadness Handgis, class of ‘87 will take on Natalie Birchem Potratz, class of ’97 and Steve Kelly, class of ’83 will challenge Mike Fitzner from the class of ’92. Over 21 men and 15 women Hi-Liner alums plan to play.

“We really can’t believe how the whole community has embraced both the band and now the basketball game,” says Susie Maresh Lloyd. “One huge supporter has been Jan Ingstad and KOVC. Last year when the band really wanted matching shirts, they stepped up as our first official sponsor.” This year, other businesses have stepped in asking to be a part of the game and the band, including Miller Motors who plans to have ice cold water for the band at the end of the parade. “If you consider that some of the members of the band are closing in on 50, a water sponsor after marching 14 blocks and playing your instrument is the perfect sponsor.” jokes Paula Bestge Klein.

For more information about participating or sponsoring the VCHS Alumni Basketball and Band Jam visit our facebook page.