By JARROD POTTER
THROUGH every shot he will ever take, Stephen Michalski knows his mother – his greatest fan in a lifelong basketball journey – will always be at his side.
On his right forearm, nestled in a nearly completed tattoo sleeve, there’s one piece of ink that means the most to the 24-year-old from Narre Warren South.
A small, pink ribbon flowing across his arm to spell out “hope”.
Every time he shoots a basket, you can see the tattoo, which serves as a humble memorial to Michalski’s mother Debra Margaret Spinks who died from breast cancer in January.
This year’s “Ballin’ for Breast Cancer” event – held on Saturday at Casey Indoor Leisure Centre, Cranbourne – will mean even more for Michalski as it will be the first Mother’s Day since Deb passed away.
The Casey Cavaliers’ community kept Michalski going through the trying off-season, as he went back-and-forth between hospital and home to visit his mum twice-a-day, while planning a wedding with his beloved Gabie.
Wanting Deb to attend the wedding – originally planned for later in the year – the couple quickly brought the date forward so she could see her son marry.
Despite their best intentions and a superhuman effort to rearrange the wedding, sadly Deb’s time drew to an end just 11 days before the rescheduled, special event.
“It was tough – spending the last Christmas with her and that stuff was really hard, and it still affects me now thinking about it,” Michalski said.
“Going to hospital at 2am and spending five hours there … so I could spend time with her.
“It was hard to fit so much in to just a few months, knowing there wasn’t long left.”
The Cavaliers’ guard knows it will be difficult to wear the Casey pink-jersey so soon after his mother’s death, but he’s proud to suit up and pay tribute on Deb’s most cherished basketball day.
“I think it’s going to be tough more than anything,” Michalski said.
“It’s going to mean a lot to her and me personally more than anything, but it’s definitely going to be tough – the hardest thing will be getting through before and after the match.
“The club has done a wonderful job in promoting it so far, so hopefully there’s a big turnout in her honour.
“She especially liked seeing me play basketball from a young age and having a whole game or event named after her was a big deal to her and it meant a lot to her.”
Michalski’s BIG V coach Stewart Baird said Deb’s presence always energised the Cavaliers and her death rippled immeasurably throughout the south-east basketball community.
“It had a massive impact – you only had to see the list of condolences to know the club just loved her as a person and loves Steve as well,” Baird said.
Casey’s 2014 Mother’s Day event – spearheaded by Spinks – was a runaway success, raising over $6000 for the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).
In Spinks’ honour, the Cavaliers have ensured her legacy will live on every Mother’s Day at The Fortress.
The club has created the Deb Spinks Memorial MVP Trophy for the best Casey player from each team.
Michalski wanted to thank the Cavaliers community for their continued support of his family through a difficult period.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their support – it means a great deal to myself personally, and I’m sure everyone else who has had a family encounter with breast cancer would appreciate it as well,” Michalski said.
Casey Cavaliers will host a triple-header on Saturday night from 4pm, as part of the Ballin’ for Breast Cancer event.
More information about the event can be found by searching for “Ballin’ for Breast Cancer 2015” on Facebook.
