Makenna Williams Memorial Game returns for second year

The Makenna Williams Memorial Game returns for its second instalment this week at Copleston Sports Centre, Ipswich.

The game was created to honour the memory of former Endeavour Ipswich Basketball Club youth player Makenna Williams, who tragically passed away in June 2022.

The rosters for the game include an impressive array of stars from across the British game, and some of the very best players past and present to have passed through the Ipswich ranks.

That includes Ethan and Maya Price, Veron Eze and Louisa Gibbins playing for Kev Manning's 'Team White', while Nick Drane's 'Team Blue' can call on the likes of Lee Linton-Hodges, Sam Newman, another sibling duo in Rory and Ben Winter, plus reigning WNBL Player of the Year for D1W Harriet Welham.

Speaking ahead of the event, Club Head Coach Drane said:

"We vowed that Ipswich Basketball Club would play our part in ensuring that Makenna will never be forgotten. No promise has ever been more important to keep.

"Last year's memorial game was a special occasion for everyone involved with our club, and most importantly for Makenna’s family. We were able to raise funds, and more importantly awareness of mental heath and the challenges many of us face.

"We have worked hard in providing training for our members to continue to raise that awareness and we will be doing even more in 2024/25.

"The club's love for Makenna will live on forever.”

This year's event will once again be held at Copleston Sports Centre, with a tip off time of 6.30pm, with a post-game reception at the Forge Kitchen for over-18s.

Even if you're unable to make it to the game, you can click the button below to donate to the GoFundMe page set up in honour of this year's event.

A live stream will also be available via the Ipswich Basketball YouTube channel.

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