AHOSKIE – A charity basketball game featuring the best players of two regions is being planned.

The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald and the Daily Herald are planning a joint event for April 14 at Hertford County High School.

The All-Roanoke-Chowan boys and girls basketball teams will square off with the All-Roanoke Valley teams compiled by the Daily Herald. The two teams will compete to raise funds for charity.

“We believe this will be a fun event for everyone concerned,” Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald Publisher Joe Cowart said. “The young men and women of our area will have the opportunity to compete on the same team rather than against each other for this one night.”

Plans are to hold the girl’s game at 5 p.m. on April 14 in the gym at Hertford County High School. The boy’s game will follow at approximately 6:30 p.m.

The event came as a suggestion of Bethel Christian Academy senior Shane Tripp, who had said for the past two years he would enjoy playing a game with the team that was assembled when the News-Herald held picture day for the All-RC Teams.

“Shane came to me and suggested it would be fun and we have been working on it for about a year now,” RCNH Managing Editor Thadd White said. “It seemed like a good idea and we are appreciative of the Daily Herald for jumping in and being a part of what we think will be a fun evening.”

Each newspaper has chosen a charity and half the proceeds from the event will go to them. The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald will donate its portion of the proceeds to the fund to help Joseph C. Voliva receive a kidney transplant. The Daily Herald will donate their portion to the Boys and Girls Club of Halifax County.

“When we first began working on this event we felt like we could use it as a way for the young people to have fun and a way to help provide a few dollars toward a worthy charity,” Cowart said. “We want to be good citizens of the community and we felt this was a way to give back to a community we love and are a part of as a newspaper and as individuals.”

The two newspapers plan to offer each member of their first and second teams the opportunity to participate in the contest.

Since both publications consider Northeast Academy and Northampton County High School – East as part of their coverage area, they will split those two teams each year. This season the Rams will play with the Daily Herald team and the Eagles will be on the News-Herald squad.

The teams will be coached by the Coach of the Year honorees along with his or her two choices for assistant coaches. They will be announced at a later date.

“We obviously have a lot of talented basketball players in the Roanoke-Chowan and Roanoke Valley areas as well as great coaches,” White said. “We think it will be a good time for people to come out, have a good time watching quality basketball and enjoy a family atmosphere at the games.”

The newspapers also plan to have a dunk contest and three-point shooting contest among those who participate in the contest.

Admission for the entire evening of star-studded basketball (two games) will only be $3 per person. Children under five will be admitted free.

“You can’t find a better game at a better price,” Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald Editor Cal Bryant said. “You can pay a small price for admission and that money will go to a worthy cause and you get to see two great games.”

Doors will open at 4 p.m. and concessions will be available for purchase.