Teams Receive a Gift in His Memory
Courtesy of GHSThe Henry O’Neill Memorial Fund gifted this basketball shooting machine to Gorham High School basketball teams.
When tragedy hit Gorham in late September, it would be almost five months later that Gorham High School Varsity Men’s Basketball Coach, Mark Karter, would debut the team’s new warm-up shirts; they were dedicated to the memory of Henry O’Neill, Class of 2019, and member of Gorham’s basketball programs since his childhood. Both men’s and women’s varsity teams will wear the memorial warm-up shirts this season.
“As a program, we wanted to honor Henry during this year’s basketball season,” said Coach Karter. “A close friend and teammate, Drew Meader, inspired the design for the warm-up shirts, which really adds a personal touch to this tribute. ‘Hank It Up’ has become an expression to celebrate Henry’s love of life and friends, a reminder not to take things too seriously and to always have fun, particularly playing the game he loved,” Karter shared. As a team they discussed the meaning behind the phrase and the importance of not taking life for granted and making sure to enjoy their time both on and off the court.
Gorham High School recently received a gift from the Henry O’Neill Memorial Fund of a basketball shooting machine. “The Gun” is an automated basketball shooting and rebounding tool used by basketball players to enhance and improve their shooting skills. A custom graphic decal was designed and installed by Time4Printing in Windham, which has been personalized with the Gorham Rams logo, along with other graphic images as a tribute to O’Neill’s spirit and passion for his friends and fans of Gorham sports.
Karter said, “The generous gift of the shooting machine from the Henry O’Neill Memorial Fund was a welcomed surprise by both the men’s and women’s basketball teams. The machine will be used and enjoyed by so many people at GHS for years to come.” O’Neill was a great friend and teammate to so many people. Coach Karter feels it’s special that O’Neill’s spirit will live on in a place he loved and that he will be remembered every time someone works on their game using the shooting machine.
There’s been a lot of demand for the tribute t-shirts since they first appeared in GHS’s season opener. Cotton t-shirts with the same design are now available for fans, friends and family through Xtreme Screen & Sportswear in Westbrook at their online store. The site will be open until Friday, March 12. Pick-up and delivery options are available. $5 from the sale of each t-shirt will be donated to the Henry O’Neill Memorial Fund.