The Charles Henderson Middle School Boys’ and Girls’ basketball teams had a strong showing against Barbour County on a night when the middle school honored bookkeeper Sonja Atkins for surviving breast cancer.

Atkins was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2009 and entered remission in May of 2010. Atkins said she was overwhelmed by the middle school’s gesture. “I am feeling overwhelmed right now,” Atkins said. “Their support is what made me get better. It was through the support of my school family, my family, and my friends that I was able to get over this dreadful disease.”

The school honored Atkins during halftime of the boys’ game and presented her with a pink corsage on the court. The school also printed shirts to raise cancer awareness. The shirts read, “Go Trojans. Fight breast cancer. Win the battle. Losing is not an option.”

While she was diagnosed, Atkins said the community around her stepped in to help her through the difficult times. “The most helpful thing the community did was to take care of my family,” Atkins said. “My girls were in fifth and seventh grades then. The community took us in and made sure I didn’t have to worry about my girls.”

For people recently diagnosed with cancer, Atkins shared some advice. “Stay strong, take it one day at a time, and do what your doctor says,” Atkins said. “I encourage everyone to get a mammogram, even men. I know men who have dealt with breast cancer. Detection is always the best prevention.”

On the court, the Charles Henderson Middle School Lady Trojans routed the visiting Jaguars 36-1.

At the half, the Trojans led 21-0, and the Jaguars did not get on the board until sinking a free throw late in the third quarter.

The Jaguars had no answer for either the Trojans’ trapping zone defense or their inside offensive game.

On the boys’ side, the Trojans came away with a 41-23 victory. The Trojans led throughout and went in to the break up 19-9 on the strength of their defense.

Barbour County could only muster long three-point shots against the CHMS 2-3 zone.

The Trojans switched to a man defense and the second half, which forced more turnovers but also allowed for more scoring opportunities for the Jaguars.

The Trojans outscored the Jaguars 22-14 in the second half to cruise to a comfortable 41-23 victory.