For those who believe high school athletes are only concerned about how many points they score, how many home runs they hit, how many touchdowns they score, or how fast they can run, think again.

A group of AAU basketball players, coached by Rick Crynes of Linton, has more on their minds these days than just improving their jump shots. They want to help raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

Crynes' team has scheduled a benefit basketball game for Wednesday in Linton-Stockton High School's gym, starting at 8 p.m. It will feature Crynes' 17-and-under AAU team against a Greene County All-Star team. The All-Star team will be comprised of graduating seniors.

"This has nothing to do with my team or basketball really," Crynes said. "It's about getting donations for Relay for Life. The kids brought this up. They wanted to help Relay for Life."

A free-will donation will be accepted.

Players on Crynes' AAU team come from Bloomfield, Loogootee, Sullivan, Terre Haute South, Northview, Linton, and Barr-Reeve.

Crynes noted that some of his players have suffered from watching loved ones pass away because of cancer, and it touched Crynes' life in a big way 15 years ago. That's when his dad, Dean, passed away from cancer on July 4.

"The kids thought the Relay for Life is a good thing. Nicole Stahl (chairperson for Greene County Relay for Life) does a tremendous job, and the kids wanted to help," Crynes explained.

"I lost my dad to cancer. It has touched a lot of lives."

Crynes said the benefit game will be four eight or 10-minute quarters, which will give fans plenty of time to watch some of their favorite players.

The coach also asks that cancer survivors wear their Relay for Life T-shirts.

"I'd love to see that support for cancer survivors," Crynes noted.

"I really hope people come out and support this."

Chris is the general manager/editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or by e-mail at cpruett79@hotmail.com.