Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Canyon Springs basketball to honor deceased coach with cancer awareness game

2015-2016 HS Basketball

Christopher DeVargas

From left, Canyon Springs’ mens basketball players; Laymon Jaskcon, Zaahid Muhammad, Darion Jackson, and Derrick Legardy, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015.

Canyon Springs High basketball coach Freddie Banks has noticed the difference. He’s knows something is missing.

In preparing the Pioneers for the season, Banks has been without one of his key assistants and friends. Freddie Thompson died last spring from pancreatic cancer.

“It’s been weird without seeing him around,” Banks said. “I have been missing him a whole hell of a lot lately.”

Canyon Springs will honor Thompson at 6:30 p.m. today during it season opener against visiting Cimarron-Memorial with the first Freddie Thompson Pancreatic Cancer Night. The program will donate part of the ticket sales — $5 for adults; $3 for students — to cancer awareness. The rest will go toward establishing a scholarship at Canyon Springs in Thompson’s name.

“When Freddie T passed away, that was the first time I learned about pancreatic cancer,” Banks said.

Freddie Thompson, shown in 2003.

Freddie Thompson, shown in 2003.

Cimarron is coached by Daryl Branham, who coached Canyon Springs to the 2011 state championship with Banks and Thompson on staff. Thompson, who was 55, coached and taught at Canyon Springs since the school opened in 2004, and was popular with students because he treated them as if they were his own.

Fans will receive glow sticks for a pregame ceremony where the gym lights will be dimmed.

“This night is going to be awesome,” Banks said.

Canyon Springs is the three-time defending Sunrise Region champions. Players will have extra motivation this season to keep the streak going.

“When you lose a good man, you will go out and play hard to honor him,” Banks said.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy