Travis Hill was making basket after basket sitting on Technology Chair Reid Exley's shoulders.

But 8-year-old Four Diamonds child Madison Hill was out-shooting her brother by herself at yesterday's third annual Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (Thon) Hoops event, which was held during halftime at the Lady Lion's basketball game.

"Madison and Travis like basketball and they got a basketball hoop for a recent birthday, but it didn't get much use," said Dawn Hill, Madison and Travis's mother.

Madison was diagnosed in October 2005 with lymphoblastic lymphoma and is currently going through high doses of chemotherapy.

More than a dozen Four Diamonds children and their siblings took over the basketball court for a 10-minute basketball-shooting spree with the Thon family relations committee and some Thon overalls.

Nine-year-old Aric Smoker worked on his free throw during the 10-minute free-for-all, specifically a backward throw. He even made a few baskets with the help of Overall Special Events Chair Dave Brownstein.

However, Aric prefers to watch basketball than play it, but is involved in wrestling and baseball, Aric's mother, Dawn Smoker, said.

Aric was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 2 and a half years old, and has been a Four Diamonds child for six years. Smoker said her family has been more involved with Thon events this year because Aric and her 5-year-old son Bryce are getting older and want to participate more.

"We appreciate these events because when a child is going through cancer, anything non-cancer related takes the child and their family's minds off of the disease," Smoker said.

As Megan Howe approached the basketball hoop, she tried to take a shot but it quickly turned into a game of one-on-three when other children moved into her territory.

"Megan is very comfortable around everyone involved in Thon and the kids," Megan's father Joe Howe said.

Megan was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in July 1999, but did not attend Thon until she finished her treatment in 2002. The third-grader has been a Four Diamonds child for eight years.

Megan still had a hold of the ball at the end of the short game against the other kids, and finally made her basket with help from Family Relations Captain Tony Rauso.

Rauso also helped Four Diamonds child Aimee Miller with her game. Aimee and her sister Kali have been excited for months about Thon Hoops because they both love basketball, said Rae Miller, Aimee and Kali's mother.

Aimee was diagnosed with brain cancer three years ago and had surgery to remove it. Kali plays basketball in her hometown of Lancaster County, but Aimee is unable to play because of the cancer, even though she wishes she could, Miller said.

"This is a great opportunity for Aimee," Miller said. "She even called up Kali's basketball coaches to tell them about the special event."

In addition to shooting hoops, the kids helped the cheerleaders throw T-shirts out to the crowd. The Four Diamonds children and their siblings also received their own Penn State jerseys and Lady Lions basketball lunch boxes.