Abilene Wylie, Merkel girls basketball join together for Coaches vs. Cancer

Sports have a way of bringing the best out of people, and the Wylie and Merkel girls basketball teams did just that Tuesday night.

When the Lady Badgers came to Bulldog Gym for the nondistrict game, they did so with pink warmup shirts for a cause. First-year Wylie coach Amy Powell wanted to do something special, and Tuesday ended up being the night for Brandi Barbee.

Barbee is currently undergoing cancer treatment and was the beneficiary of fundraising from the Coaches vs. Cancer game.

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“It was just an idea we threw out there, at the beginning of the season, to our parents,” Powell said. “They jumped at the opportunity to host it and everybody pitched in. We had an incredible amount of silent auction items. It’s nice to see people come together for a good cause.”

“I feel so blessed to know that so many people are backing me,” Barbee said. “Very blessed … This community is awesome, the Wylie community is amazing. I’ve had four kids graduate from here, I graduated from here and, like coach (Hugh) Sandifer says, it’s great to be a Wylie Bulldog.”

When Powell talked to Merkel coach Laura Lange about being a part of the event, she didn't hesitate to say yes.

“I thought Coach Powell did an outstanding job putting all of this together,” Lange said. “When I came (Tuesday) and saw all the things they had going on, I was really impressed with the overall effort they put into this event.”

And even though Barbee is Wylie through-and-through, the city of Abilene and the Big Country that surrounds it are part of a special bond. So, both teams put aside their respective purples and golds for pink and something bigger than the game.

“Wylie and Merkel go way back, they used to be in a district together back in the day,” Lange said. “They’re used to having that rivalry there, and then we come together to support each other in (these) times. A lot of these kids, they’ve grown up playing each other in summer league, so they know each other. When we’re able to come together for a cause like that, it’s special.

“I talked to my girls before the game, it says a lot about the fight and character when you have to face hard things and obstacles in life. You step up and you fight for it.”

While Powell is new to Wylie this year, she is no stranger to Abilene. After spending a year playing at Texas A&M, she transferred to ACU where she graduated.

“I think we’ve all been the beneficiary, at times, of people stepping in to help out,” Powell said. “I’m a big believer in the power of community, if there’s someone in need, being willing to step up and help. It was nice to be able to honor Brandi (Tuesday) as someone who’s going through that right now.”

At first, Barbee didn’t want her diagnosis known. Once she put it out there, the support has helped during the fight. The treatment process is not an easy one, but knowing there are people, a school and a community behind her helps along the way.

And on Tuesday night, that help came in the form of raising more than $6,000 which will help Barbee continue her fight and her own battle versus cancer.

“This is what’s getting me through it, everybody’s prayers,” Barbee said. “At first I didn’t want to put it out there. I thought, no, I need the prayers. That’s kept my mind right and my attitude (right). It’s overwhelming the people that are supporting me. I love it and I love everybody here.”