It became two opposing teams for one common purpose when Whitehall and Dieruff met last Friday for a league basketball game.

Before the scheduled contest between these two Eastern Pennsylvania Conference foes, they gathered at center court showing a united front in their commitment to help fund research into Autism.

It has become an annual tradition for Dieruff head coach Cathy Piston to team up with an area squad to raise money for a needy organization.

In the past, they’ve raised money for The American Cancer Society since one of their coaches was battling breast cancer. They also raised money in conjunction with 2015’s court dedication to Diane Cruttenden, an animal advocate, donating money to The Humane Society. Last year she partnered with Parkland, once again donating money to cancer research.

This year it became Autism Speaks. Autism affects people from all walks of life. Piston said that it has touched many of the people she knows, including her coaching staff. That was true for the Whitehall coaching staff as well, so once she presented coach Dwight Repsher with the idea, the wheels sprung into motion.

“This is what we wanted to do,” she said.

Together the teams raised $798.24 for Autism Speaks.

Repsher said that Whitehall contributed roughly $300.00 of the funds raised for the cause.

Repsher said that Piston texted him about getting involved. Once he discussed it with his players, it became a unanimous yes. They raised money through donations as well as T-Shirt sales.

“It was really a nice thing,” said Repsher.

Piston said that the idea sprang from her daughter’s involvement in Parkland soccer. She said that every year Parkland picks a charity, raising both money and awareness. It was something she felt would be good for her program as well.

“I thought it was a neat idea to start a tradition,” said Piston. “Not only our team does it, but a lot of organizations within our school will donate.”

She said that their student council will also choose a charity to help, underscoring the sense of community and compassion at the school.

Piston said that the money gets donated to VIA of the Lehigh Valley who then channels it to their Autism programs.

“It gets specifically tagged for Autism,” she said.