Coaches vs. Cancer Event to Honor 'Stretch' Ryder Thursday

Port Washington will take on East Meadow in a special Coaches vs. Cancer basketball fundraiser Thursday — but the event will go far beyond the action on the court.

Now in its fourth year, this year's event to help fight cancer will honor longtime community leader "Stretch" Ryder, who died last year. 

Ryder's son, Chris, played three seasons at Schreiber before earning Divison III All-America honors at Hartwick College. His father was a huge supporter of the Port Washington team, according to Port assistant coach Eric Sutz.

"He was a presence and always a class act," said Sutz.

Ryder's family members are expected to be on hand at the event which begins at 6:15 p.m. at Schreiber.

"We'd like to pack the gym to show as much love as we can," said Eric Sutz, an assistant basketball coach at Schreiber.

Donations may be made at the game through he purchase of cancer awareness ribbons and donation cards.  All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.

Port Head Coach Sean Dooley, who helped initiate the event four years ago, lost his mother and three grandparents to cancer. 

Tipoff is 6:30 p.m.