Bethel Park hosting benefit for O’Mara family
Bethel Park will host a fundraising basketball event on Feb. 13 at the high school gymnasium.
In addition to it being youth night, it will be O’Mara Family Benefit Night.
Proceeds from the concessions and 50/50 raffles will be donated to the O’Mara family, which lost its patriarch two weeks into the new year. At age 52, Shawn Joseph O’Mara passed away on Jan. 14. He left behind his high school sweetheart and wife, Emilia, as well as three active children, Riley, 21, Carley, 17 and Frank, 15.
Riley wrestled for the Black Hawks before continuing in the sport at Seton Hill University. A senior, Carley plays on the basketball and lacrosse teams. A sophomore, Frank is a member of the basketball and football teams at BPHS.
Action begins at 6 p.m. While the boys junior varsity will play in the South Gym, the Lady Hawks will host Ringgold in the main gym. The boys varsity will take on Keystone Oaks at 7:30 p.m. in the main gym.
“It’s going to be an exciting night of basketball and the opportunity to support a family that continues to get through difficult times,” said BP girls basketball coach Samantha Loadman. “It will be a fun evening but a special night.”
The event has been designated as a “Green Out” and green-colored shirts will be sold at the door to also benefit the O’Mara family.
The death of O’Mara particularly rocked the girls’ team as the Lady Hawks lost five of their six games following the tragedy. On Feb. 6, they broke into the win column against Baldwin, 75-67. The victory came on Senior Recognition Night, where Carley and her teammates: Sophia Nath, Olivia Willig, Mary Boff and Isabella Bomar were honored.
“There were a lot of teary eyes during the ceremony but the gym was electric, particularly when Carley’s name was announced,” Loadman said.
“It’s been a challenging season. Something you never think you’d go through as a coach or as players. Emotional,” Loadman added. “We’ve had each other though and unbelievable support. They have gotten closer as they’ve been getting through this.
“I’m absolutely proud of my girls. It certainly feels like if they can get through this, they can get through anything in life.”
In the win against the Highlanders, Nath and Boff fired in 18 and 17 points respectively. Ella Sabatos, a sophomore, followed with 15 tallies.
“We were able to play well and get the win. That was the icing on the cake,” Loadman said. “We’ve been playing well as a team; sharing the ball and playing together. It’s awesome to see what you can do when that happens.”
The Baldwin triumph kept BP’s slim playoff hopes alive but because of a 65-51 loss to undefeated section champion, Upper St. Clair, there is no postseason for the Lady Hawks. They will instead play their final game of the 2022-23 campaign during the fundraising event on Feb. 13.
“It’s going to be a fun night,” Loadman said. “It’s an opportunity for the community to come out and see some good games and to support both teams on one night. Since it’s also youth night, the little kids get in for free. It’s a great way to expose them to the game and to build the program.”