MENDOTA - Players, fans and anyone interested are invited to participate in an elimination-style half-court basketball shot challenge on Dec. 11. Proceeds will provide free services to local cancer patients and fund cancer research.

Tickets ($5) will be available at the door. Each ticket entitles the donor to two half-court shot chances in the initial round and in each subsequent round to which the donor advances. The challenge will take place during half-time of the 8th-grade boys’ game in which the LaSalle Lincoln LYNX will visit the Northbrook Spartans.

The winner will be awarded a licensed item, winner’s certificate, and a cash prize of 20 percent of the total donations and ticket sales. The final two contestants will have the option to split the pool or to duel to a sole winner. Each of the two schools will receive 5 percent and the remainder will benefit the cancer charity. “Everyone will win except cancer,” said Mendota Trojan basketball player Ted Landgraf, who is captain of the Relay For Life team coordinating the event.

In support of the cancer cause, Marchelloni’s of Peru has donated a voucher good for 10 free large pizzas. This will be awarded to be enjoyed by the 7th and 8th-grade players, cheerleaders, and coaches of whichever school raises the most in total donations and contest-ticket sales. Participants, fans and community members will be able to designate the school to which their ticket purchase or donation is credited in this friendly upper Illinois Valley school to school fundraising challenge.

Cash donations will be accepted at the gate, or checks made out to “Relay For Life.”

The event is part of the historic local “March To A Million” cancer campaign. More information, or to donate in advance, plus access to free services to local cancer patients in need, may be found at www.1mil.org.