Patterson hoops team hits the road to raise money

PATTERSON — The Patterson High School girls basketball team rallied together Sunday on Main Street for a bucket drive, collecting donations to help buy game shoes.

Bucket drives are a familiar fundraiser for this team, but the purpose varies according to specific needs.

Uniforms and sweat shirts are provided for basketball players, but basketball shoes have always been the responsibility of athletes and their parents.

The parental backing and support of team members are nowhere near the days of the past. Coaches today need “more support,” assistant coach Michaelyn Accardo said.

Despite the lack of funds for game shoes, Patterson High girls team members were outside at 10 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of Catherine and Main streets with their collection buckets in hand.

“We need a lot of help to get money for the fundraiser,” said junior guard Iesha Jones.

“I just like playing basketball,” said junior forward Erykah Singleton. “If I didn’t come out here we wouldn’t get the money.”

There are 10 girls on the team. Five members and one manager showed up for the drive.

“I love my team and if they were able to come they would’ve come,” said junior guard Nyla Holder.

“I know they really need us to be out here,” said junior guard Kemprielle Williams. “I needed to be here because it’s important.”

Williams also made the PHS basketball donation posters.

The love of team and support of one another is crucial for the team at this time as they are getting new coaches, Coach Frederick “Butch” Brossett and Accardo.

Brossett and Accardo are not new to the game of basketball or coaching.

Brossett is a three-time district championship coach with 18 years of coaching experience.

Accardo is a former coach at Patterson Junior High. In addition, she is one of Brossett’s former Patterson High basketball players.

Two of the district high school championships were won while Accardo played basketball for Brossett.

Brossett is excited about the season and ready to see what the team can do.

“I think we can be competitive,” Brossett said. “It’ll be fun to get back in the competition of things.”

Accardo is feeling good and excited about coaching as an alumna of Patterson High and this is her first year coaching on the high school level. She is also a chemistry teacher.

“I want to input my enthusiasm and love for the school and sport,” Accardo said. “I have that passion and love for it.”

Her enthusiasm is going to be necessary. She acknowledges the transition with a new coaching staff “is going to be difficult.”

For Holder, the change has been “more of an emotional experience.” But it provides an opportunity to “learn and build a new relationship.”

Freshman guard La’Travia Perro is a former player of Accardo’s at Patterson Junior High. “Plays are harder than in junior high,” Perro said.

Because of scoliosis, Perro has missed a lot of practices because of her back. Coming out with her teammates to raise money for game shoes was not an option.

“I really want to get my shoes,” Perro said. “I can do this.”

The team does not have a set deadline for receiving donations.

The Patterson High School girls’ basketball team’s first game is Nov. 19 against Abbeville High School.

The team has two games before Thanksgiving week. In December, “the season really cranks up,” Brossett said.