Senior staff writer
The deadline for donations to Hoops for Haskins, a fund-raising drive for the family of Southport student-athlete Rashawn Haskins, has been extended to Feb. 8. The drive began a few weeks ago by Ben Nicoson, a Center Grove basketball player, to assist the Haskins family.
Rashawn, who played football and basketball, was killed Dec. 1 in a two-vehicle accident at U.S. 31 and Main Street in Greenwood. His sister, Brianna, suffered injuries in the accident and has returned to classes at Southport High School. Nicoson and Haskins played against each other in basketball when they were freshmen and sophomores.
As a junior, Haskins devoted his athletic training to football and became an all-state selection last year. Upon hearing of the family’s financial struggles, Nicoson sent every boys’ basketball team in the state asking that each player donate $1 to Hoops for Haskins.
The collection drive began with the recent Johnson County tourney. Several coaches have expanded the drive to other teams at their school.
“If I was in that situation, I would definitely want all the help I could get,” Nicoson told Rich Nye of Channel 13. “They were certainly down. I felt like they needed a boost in their joy right now … I felt like donating what little money I had and extending my reach out to more people would just give them a boost.”
Anyone can give online to Hoops for Haskins through the Go Fund Me page. Checks should be made out to Hoops for Haskins and mailed to: Hoops for Haskins c/o Center Grove High School, 2717 S. Morgantown Road, Greenwood, IN 46143 A 50/50 Roundup in support of Hoops for Haskins is set for Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., at Tried & True Alehouse, 2800 S. State Road 135, Greenwood. The alehouse will donate 50 percent of food purchased to the fund by presenting a Hoops for Haskins flyer.