Practice makes perfect. It can also generate a few charitable dollars.

Several local teams will unofficially begin their basketball seasons this week as part of the Ohio High School Athletic Foundation Service Week.

Although the games will be considered exhibition games, all proceeds from the games go toward the OHSAA Foundation that donates money to special projects or charities.

“They’re exhibition games, but they’re very important toward helping the students and the communities,” said Ironton coach Mark LaFon.

Ironton will entertain Minford on Monday while Chesapeake will host Symmes Valley on Tuesday as part of the foundation’s program. Both have jayvee games starting at 6 p.m.

In Scioto County, Green’s boys and girls will play at Northwest on Tuesday with the Bobcats funds going to the Mike Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Proceeds from the Foundation Games go directly to the selected community service project, less a $250 contribution per school to the OHSAA Foundation, which will be returned to schools in the form of scholarships and leadership conferences for student-athletes in all sports.

Ironton’s proceeds will go toward Tiger Clan scholarships and Minford’s will be used in the Falcon Legacy Scholarship Foundation.

Chesapeake will donate its funds to the Lawrence County Job and Family Services.

Symmes Valley’s appearance in the game will benefit another cause. The Vikings are participants in “The Angel Tree Project” and the school will donate its portion of the proceeds to that program.