Basketball Team Gets Messy to Fund Chance of a Lifetime

If you have a car that needs washing and a hankering to support local athletes, the Hanover Park High School basketball team wants you.

The team is trying to get to the 2013 KSA Events Holiday Tournament at Disney World this December, but to get there they have to fund their own way, to the tune of about $1,500 per athlete.

With more than 20 boys on the team, that's no small feat.

"We are so excited to have the opportunity to compete against similarly-ranked teams from across the US," basketball mom Lisa Monticello said. "Since no money is provided by our school district for this prestigious event, the team is responsible for raising money for the trip."

To help raise money, the boys are having a series of car washes. July 10 was the first car wash, and Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m. will the the second. 

The boys will take over the high school parking lot for anyone who needs their car washed. The coach, Todd Hartmann, stopped by at the last car wash and helped out, and Monticello said he is expected to do so again.

Wednesday's car wash raised over $500 for the trip. It's a good start, but the boys have a long way to go.

These car washes will not be the only fundraisers for the boys' trip. The team has already planned a golf outing on August 12 and other events for the fall.

The price, if the boys can raise it, will pay for tournament entrance fees, airfare, entrance to the park, food and their hotel.