March 14: You see the sisterhood in the game

Wrenshall's school colors are orange and black. But when the Wrens took the court at Williams Arena on Thursday for the school's first appearance in the girls' basketball state tournament, there was a touch of red.

The Wrens each wore a white sweatband on their forearms that bore a red "5." They also wore one red shoelace. Five is the number worn by Cherry High School senior Laura Griffiths; red represents the American Heart Association.

Even though Griffiths doesn't go to school in Wrenshall -- she is on the basketball, volleyball and track teams at Cherry -- the Wrens have made her one of them, because she could use some support right now.

The morning after Cherry's final regular-season home game, Laura's heartbeat shot up to 199 beats per minute. She was rushed to Fairview Hospital in Hibbing and diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, an abnormality of the heart's electrical system.

Surgery is required to repair her heart. Her family does not have the insurance coverage to pay for it. But the support -- emotional and financial -- is growing.

"These basketball teams have been such a big support," said Cherie Griffiths, Laura's mom. "It's amazing how these kids support each other."

The Griffiths had just finished fretting about their son Travis before Laura's health problem surfaced. Travis is in the Marines, stationed in San Diego and getting ready to come home for good in May.

He spent time in Iraq, which caused all kinds of stress for his family: dad Ben, Cherie and Laura.

"We just got done worrying about him for a year, and now with Laura it's one scare after another," Cherie said.

Laura was unable to travel to Minneapolis on Thursday to watch the Wrens play.

Wrenshall and Cherry are 70 miles apart; Cherry on the Iron Range and Wrenshall south of Duluth. The teams did not play each other this season. Both teams are in Class 1A, Section 7, but they did not meet in the postseason, either.

But Laura was in the gym at Minnesota Duluth on Saturday when Wrenshall beat Bigfork to win the trip to state. As the Wrens were posing for a team photo with the section championship trophy, they called Laura into the shot.

Wrenshall coach Neil Dickenson did not know Laura was in the photo until he saw a copy the next day.

"It kind of brought a tear to my eyes," he said. "What these kids have done for her is incredible."

For others who want to show their support, the Laura Griffiths Heart Care Fund has been established at US Bank, 230 First Street South, Virginia, MN 55792.

The Wrens lost to Ada-Borup on Thursday, and there were lots of tears as they left their locker room. But before long they will realize that it was just a game, and other things in life are more important than who wins and who loses.

"I can't get over how many friends she has," Laura's mom said. "I'm overwhelmed."

John Millea • jmillea@startribune.com