They’re taking their fight to court — the basketball court.
Marine Park parochial school St. Thomas Aquinas is hosting a three-day charity basketball tournament on Thanksgiving to raise money for an 8-year-old Flatbush boy’s battle with leukemia. Parishioners started the “Giving Thanks” Classic last year and raised a couple thousand dollars for an ailing area youngster last turkey day, so they decided to come back for seconds, an organizer said.
“We said, ‘Why not continue the tradition and help other kids?’ ” said St. Thomas Aquinas coach Domenick Priante.
This year they’re raising money for 8-year-old Aiden Seaver, who doctors diagnosed with leukemia in August. The cancer went into remission after a six weeks of chemotherapy, but Aiden and his family are physically, emotionally, and financially weary from the fight — and they face two more years of on-again, off-again treatment, the tyke’s mom said.
“It was intense — it’s still intense,” mom Eve Seaver said. “There are a lot expenses that aren’t covered by insurance. Everything helps.”
Priante arranged seven fund-raising games among St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Athanasius, Good Shepherd, St. Colombia, and St. Ephrem parish ballers that will take place Nov. 27-29. Following the tournament, he’s throwing a benefit party, with food, drinks, music, and a performance by famed Brooklyn streetballer Jack “Blackjack” Ryan, who Complex magazine called one of the “20 Greatest Basketball Players to Never Play in the NBA.”
Aiden’s attendance at the classic depends on his health — if his immune system isn’t up to it, he’ll be forced to stay home, his mother said.
Though having to stay home is no punishment — Aiden’s more interested in slaying zombies than slaying on the court.
“He’s into video games, ‘The Walking Dead,’ and ‘Dr. Who,’ ” said Eve. “Giving Thanks” Classic at Monsignor King Hall [1501 Hendrickson St. between Flatlands Avenue and Avenue P in Marine Park. Donate online at www.stagt
