Catonsville hoops hosting benefit for Kropfelder melanoma foundation

Catonsville will host an afternoon of high school basketball along with Seton Keough and Mount St. Joseph on Dec. 21 to benefit The Kropfelder Foundation for Melanoma Education and Research.

Comets girls basketball coach Mike Mohler had been friends since high school with David Kropfelder, who died of melanoma in 2003. Kropfelder was a three-sport athlete at Mount St. Joseph and is in the Gaels Hall of Fame. He was a standout in soccer, basketball and baseball, Mohler said.

"David was two years ahead of me at Mt. St. Joe," Mohler said. "He was a terrific athlete who then became one of the most respected basketball refs not only in the state but on the East Coast. He reffed games in the [Baltimore] Catholic League and in the college ranks up and down the East Coast and was headed for the really big time until the disease took him way too early."

The benefit, the Merritt Properties Catonsville Cup, will kick off with Catonsville's junior varsity girls playing Seton Keough at noon. The Catonsville boys will play No. 1 Mount St. Joseph at 2 p.m., and the No. 12 Comets girls will meet No.13 Seton Keough at 4.

In addition, Mohler is inviting all former Catonsville girls basketball players to come to the game to celebrate his 20th year of coaching the Comets. Mohler will host a reception for all girls basketball alumni and their families after the game.

Tickets are $5, and Mohler said only 800 will be sold. To get tickets in advance, contact one of the coaches at the participating schools or email Mohler at mikemohler1@comcast.net.