For the last 15 years, Essex High School girls’ basketball has hosted the annual Pink Zone event. This event raises money for cancer through participation and proceeds.
On Friday, Feb. 7, EHS Varsity, Junior Varsity, EMS, and ADL all participated.
EHS coach, Martin Morrison, is in his first year of coaching at EMS. This was his first year participating in the Pink Zone tradition.
“I didn’t know much about it,” Coach Morrison said. “I think it’s really cool that the community comes together for a common goal and both teams are all in on it. It’s cool to see the extra fans in the stands because usually in our games we have just parents, and it was cool to have extra support.”
ADL Coach Ben Gregory has been coaching for about 7 years.
“This is the first time ADL has won the Pink Zone game since I started coaching,” Coach Gregory said. “This is a great tradition. The girls love it. From the very beginning of the season, our first practice in November, they’re already talking about this game. I love the fact that there’s a big crowd coming out to watch all the girls play for this event.”
Former girls’ EHS Varsity basketball coach, Shawn Montague, coached the team for 22 years.
“Last year, we raised over $4,000, and then a bank matched it, so we were over $8,000,” Montague said.
The Pink Zone tradition began in 2010 when former athletic director Ed Hockenberry suggested that EHS try a Pink Zone game to support breast cancer. The first-year basketball games were played against BFA Saint Albans. By just selling shirts and donations, they raised over $1,000. 
“It’s kind of evolved every year since then,” Montague said. “It’s a pretty big deal now. And the best part about it is that it’s a community event now that everyone kind of knows about. ”
