BY MIKAELA THORNE

Sports Editor

After experiencing the loss of close friend April Bocian, senior Carly Lutz is honoring her by raising money for the April T. Bocian Foundation during tonight’s girls basketball game.

The foundation is a non-profit organization that provides mental health education and resources. Bocian, a 17-year-old from Grove City, committed suicide in May. Lutz knew Bocian through AAU travel basketball.

“April was my friend and I wanted to do something to honor her, and spread awareness,” Lutz said. “She was a big influence on me, and I looked up to her. So the loss of her has been hard.”

Admission is free for tonight’s game, but a donation box will be set up outside the gym.

“I want to encourage everyone to donate because it’s a good cause that people don’t usually think about,” Lutz said.

The girls play against Peters tonight, and Peters has also donated to the foundation.

“It’s a huge game,” Lutz said. “We lost to them the first time. We’ve really been working hard to get this win. I think we’re ready.”