AJ Maze, left, with wife Tammy and their children, Ethan and Christina. Submitted Photo

RUSSELL, Pa. — Normally this time of year thoughts are turning toward football and fall sports, but before that happens three local girls basketball teams are getting together tonight for an evening of basketball all for a great cause at Eisenhower High School.

Eisenhower, Warren and Chautauqua Lake will square off to raise funds for a local family that is facing a cancer diagnosis.

AJ Maze, a pastor and worship leader at Praise Fellowship Church in Russell has been diagnosed with two rare blood cancers — essential thrombocythemia and myelofibrosis — that have led to scarring in his bone marrow. Genetic testing revealed two new aggressive mutations that put him at imminent risk of developing leukemia.

“This is our second year of fundraising for a local family in need and to have Warren and Chautauqua Lake on board really shows how important it is to come together to help when we can,” said Eisenhower girls coach DJ Steinberg.

In the near future, Maze, wife Tammy and children Christina and Ethan will have to move near Cleveland Clinic as the Maze prepares for a bone marrow transplant. The financial need is great and this event will help make it a little easier to make the move.

Today will not only be a showcase of local girls basketball, but it will also consist of basket raffles, 50-50 drawings, side games and T-shirt sales. All proceeds will go to Maze and his family.

Following is the schedule for the evening: junior varsity, Eisenhower vs. Warren, 5 p.m.; and varsity, Warren vs. Chautauqua Lake, 6 p.m., Eisenhower vs. Chautauqua Lake, 7 p.m.; and Eisenhower vs. Chautauqua Lake, 8 p.m.