In Havre, Montana, the Frontier Conference basketball teams spend the winter months battling for wins and championships. But when summer arrives, the scoreboard is turned off and a different kind of game takes center stage. The 10th annual Hoops for a Cause, held this weekend, transforms the usual rivalry into a collective effort to aid two young girls in their fight against cancer.

Isla Doney, 14, from Havre, and Callie Finnicum, 10, from Great Falls, are this year's beneficiaries. Both have personal connections to the conference's athletic community. Doney's family has long been part of MSU-Northern's basketball scene. Finnicum's mother, Katie, played for University of Providence coach Bill Himmelberg, who has watched the family grow over the years. "They are close to our hearts," Himmelberg said, noting the personal bonds that run deep.

Callie's journey began last fall when she felt pain in her leg. Initially dismissed as growing pains, the limping and swelling led to an X-ray that revealed a more frightening reality: osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. She was diagnosed in early December and began chemotherapy two days after a biopsy. The treatment included a harsh pediatric regimen and a major surgery to remove an eight-inch tumor from her femur, which required partial amputation of her leg. She now uses a prosthetic.

Through it all, her mother Katie marvels at her daughter's resilience. "She has only had a handful of days where she's been down in the dumps," Katie said. "She just doesn't let cancer get her down." Callie has channeled her energy into creativity, writing and publishing three children's books in eight months, each featuring a character named Lucy. "I don't know any other 10-year-olds that have written three books in eight months," her mother added.

Callie recently rang the bell to mark the end of chemotherapy, surrounded by family, friends, and medical staff. But the fight continues. She still needs surgery to remove spots from her lungs, along with ongoing scans, physical therapy, and prosthetic care. The Finnicums have felt an outpouring of support from near and far. "Everybody has just really wrapped their arms around us," Katie said. "We cannot thank them enough."

That sense of community extends across the Frontier Conference. MSU-Northern women's basketball coach Chris Mouat, who helps organize the event, said programs from across the league have contributed, along with donations from outside the conference, including the University of South Carolina women's basketball team and Montana State University. The response from Great Falls and Havre has exceeded all expectations. "This year, off the charts," Mouat said. "It's going to be a record for us for sure."

The event's centerpiece is a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, but Mouat emphasizes that the most crucial moment happens when the games pause. During lunch, organizers explain the purpose to young athletes, honor supporters, distribute donated gear, and hold auctions. "I think that's pretty neat when the kids do realize why they were there, beyond basketball," Mouat said.

Thanks to an anonymous donor, team registration is free this year. Community members are also invited to attend, watch the games, and participate in silent and live auctions. For a conference built on competition, Hoops for a Cause offers a day to show what coaches and players share when the scoreboard doesn't matter. "We have a lot of good people in our league," Mouat said. "For one day of their summer, they'll give everything up to be here to help people."

More information is available on the Hoops for a Cause Facebook page. Donations can be made to support Isla Doney and Callie Finnicum separately.