Tonight, Manteca High will play for much more than a share of first place in the Valley Oak League.

With the help of its faculty and fans, the Buffaloes hope to raise awareness for the fight against heart disease with an event dubbed, “For the Love of the Game.”

Commemorative white T-shirts bearing the words “It’s your Life” will be sold for $10 in an attempt to “white out” the home stands for what promises to be the biggest boys basketball game of the season to date.

The varsity game tips off at 7:15 inside Winter Gym.

Sierra and Manteca sit atop the VOL standings, separated by just a game. The Timberwolves (11-0) have won seven consecutive games, own an area-best 22-2 record and have yet to taste defeat in league.

The Buffaloes (10-1, 18-5) have run a close second all season long and come off one of their finer performances in a 77-62 victory over Weston Ranch. In that game, junior center Anand Hundal erupted for 37 points and 13 rebounds, setting the stage for tonight’s clash.

The Timberwolves won the first meeting, 48-40, on Jan. 20. Manteca has won six straight since that setback.

Still, the game will serve as a backdrop to a more important cause.

While Round 2 rages on, another battle will take shape in the stands, where members of Manteca High’s Link Crew will solicit support for the American Heart Association. They’ll also be offering tips on heart disease prevention and pointing out warning signs, according to a school press release.

Anyone interested in making a donation, can make a check payable to the American Heart Association and drop it off at the school or Winter Gym today.

For more information about heart disease or AHA, visit www.heart.org/pugetsound.