WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University women's basketball team hosts its penultimate home game of the season Saturday afternoon in a 2 p.m. ODAC contest versus Emory & Henry.
 
The game is the Hornets Play4Kay contest and the department has also designated it as First Responders Appreciation Day.
 
All first responders in uniform or with proper ID will be admitted free to the game. At halftime, the department is going to recognize the City of Winchester Fire and Rescue Department and the Winchester Firefighters and Paramedics Association for their efforts in raising money and awareness for breast cancer awareness.
 
The contest, a return engagement for the 13-7 Hornets and the 17-3 Wasps, is the centerpiece of Shenandoah's month-long "Free Throw Challenge".
 
For the month of February, coach Melissa Smeltzer-Kraft's club is collecting donations each made free throw that will be earmarked for the Kay Yow Foundation to fight breast cancer. In two games so far this month, the Hornets have 20 successful free throws.
 
"We were looking for a way to make our involvement with Play4Kay last throughout the month rather than just one game," head coach Melissa Smeltzer-Kraft said. "The Free Throw Challenge is a perfect way to accomplish that goal.
 
"This is a second awareness game we have put on this year and both ALS and breast cancer are two causes that hit close to home with our program. We are very happy to partner with the City of Winchester Fire and Rescue Department to raise additional funds to fight breast cancer and also recognize those first responders for the great work they do in our community."
 
Fans interested in taking part in the fundraising initiative can visit the Free Throw Challenge link on the women's basketball schedule page.
 
###