This one's for Pay Pay

Last weekend, the Lucky Bullet and other local business were able to help raise funds for eight month old Payton Kill Eagle and her father Wes Kill Eagle Jr. of Dodson.

The father-daughter duo has been relocated to Seattle, Wash., after finding out that Payton was diagnosed with liver cancer on Wednesday, January 25.

In the wake of finding out that Wes and Payton will have medical expenses throughout the next several months, Lucky Bullet owners Dennis and DoDee Oxarart issued a challenge via social media:

"Dennis and DoDee Oxarart and the Lucky Bullet will pay $1.00 for each point Dodson and Malta basketball teams score at this week's home games. We challenge EVERYONE to do the same. Everyone who accepts this wonderful challenge can stop down and receive a free meal and drink on the Lucky Bullet after the games Thursday and Friday night."

"PayPay it for Payton" kicked off as the Lady Coyotes took on the Roy-Winifred Outlaws. The team was able to put up 25 points in their loss.

"I feel so bad for our girls because they put so much pressure on themselves," Dodson Lady Coyote Deserae Kill Eagle said. "They really, really, really wanted to rack up the points for Payton."

The news of Payton's diagnosis hit the young Lady Coyotes hard.

"The game against Nashua, we couldn't even bring up the PayPay situation, it was still too emotional for us," Coach Deserae said. "We didn't speak of it and the boys used it to fire them up."

Francine and Deserae have been instrumental in their efforts to not only keep in contact with their brother Wes but to raise awareness to the family's situation.

"I just found out about it today when I was on my way back from a conference in Billings," Francine said. "I saw it on a Facebook page and I started crying and then Des found out about it right before the game."

The Dodson Coyotes were able to put up 47 points in their loss to the Outlaws later that night. Coyote senior Trevor Walker was a part of the effort, scoring seven points for Dodson.

"I didn't score much but I tried my best and dropped seven points for her," Walker said. "Seven dollars was the best I could do. It's all about the journey. All about helping out and bettering ourselves."

The Kill Eagle sisters have been impressed with how the Coyote boys have responded to their former coach's situation.

"Those boys have been playing with pure heart," Francine said.

More than just a coach to Coyote Tyrese Messerly, Messerly has been playing strong for his father figure and sister.

"The light you see in him, you can see that he's not only (competing) for himself but for Wes because of everything Wes has taught him," Deserae said.

Wes had often referred to Messerly as his boy in previous interviews.

"That's our nephew through and through," Francine said. "Wes has raised him since he was five. Little Ivis (Payton's sister) loves her Tyrese. She was dribbling around the house saying, I'm Tyrese!"

The Malta Mustangs were able to put up 51 points in their home win over the Rocky Boy Northern Stars on Friday night.

"As far as the Mustangs go, our thoughts and prayers go out to Wes and his family," Mustangs Head Coach David Costin said. "I know one thing, that this community will pull together and support the cause. Hopefully things turn out good for the family here after the medical situation that they'll have to go through."

The Malta M-ettes were able to put up 65 points in their win over the Lady Northern Stars on Friday.

"It's really awesome (to be a part of this)," senior M-ette Eva Harms said. "We just wanted to raise as much money as we could for them."

Senior guard Raleigh Hunter was also fired up about the fundraiser.

"Tonight we really just played for little Payton Kill Eagle," she said.

Dodson also held a pair of green out nights in which one dollar of each paying customer in green went towards the cause.

"Frank Benson was the mastermind behind it all," Francine Kill Eagle said. "He was so stoked after their first win and he accredited it all to Wesley, PayPay and their situation."

The support around the county has been eye opening for the Kill Eagle sisters.

"I went to Malta for the first time since everything and people have been coming out left and right," Deserae said. "It's still so emotional that we don't know what to do. It's overwhelming and we are overwhelmed with gratitude. The feeling is unexplainable."

Francine expressed her thanks as well.

"To see how many people are behind Wesley and Payton is amazing," Francine said. "We have all sides of our little community in Dodson and all sides of our surrounding communities being so amazing and so supporting... How do you show people how you truly feel, how you truly appreciate the prayers, the checking up, the donations and everything? You can't even express how much it is appreciated."

The North Country Mavericks also hosted a green out event for the cause as they took on the Dodson teams in Whitewater last Saturday night.

For those looking to make contributions, they can be made at First Security Bank in Malta or at http://www.gofundme.com/princess-paypay-medical-care or contact Francine Kill Eagle at Dodson School.

Westside Food Court is also donating $3 for every large pizza sold in the month of February.