The Reading community came together in a powerful show of support on Saturday, January 3rd, during the Reading Boys Day of Basketball, as the Blue Devils hosted the Finneytown Wildcats for a full day of hoops and a meaningful fundraiser in support of Nick Radtke and his family.
From start to finish, the gym was filled with energy as every level of the Reading boys basketball program took the floor. Fans cheered on the 7th grade, 8th grade, freshman, junior varsity, and varsity teams, creating a true all-day celebration of Blue Devil basketball and community spirit.
The day also served a greater purpose. Nick Radtke, a junior basketball player at Reading, was recently diagnosed with brain cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. Throughout the event, friends, teammates, families, and community members showed their support for Nick and his family through a variety of fundraising activities.
The fundraiser featured raffle baskets, split-the-pot, and the raffle of a Blackstone grill. One of the biggest highlights of the day was the fan-favorite chuck-a-duck, which brought excitement and laughter to the crowd while raising additional funds for Nick.
A tremendous thank you goes out to Heather Stidham, Heather Woebkenberg, and Heather Cox for organizing the fundraiser and helping bring the day together. Appreciation is also extended to the many volunteers who dedicated their time throughout the day to ensure the event ran smoothly and successfully.
The outpouring of support extended well beyond the gym walls. Donations were made by Madeira Schools, the Reading Police Department, the Reading Boys Basketball Program, and the Reading Cheer and Dance teams, further demonstrating the collective care and compassion surrounding Nick and his family.
The impact of the day reached an even wider audience, as Local 12 News attended the event and is planning to feature Nick’s story during their 6:00 p.m. newscast on Friday, January 9th.
Saturday’s Boys Day of Basketball was about far more than wins and losses. It was a reminder of the strength of the Reading community and the power of coming together to support one of our own. The Blue Devil family continues to stand with Nick Radtke as he fights with courage, resilience, and the unwavering support of his teammates, school, and community.