Before Wareham’s players drove towards the hoop looking to score, they helped contribute to a different type of drive.

The Wareham High girls basketball team kicked off their season at home Friday night against Bishop Stang, and despite a 56-31 loss, the group collected several large boxes of toys to be donated to the Dick Melloni Toy Drive, a yearly fundraiser in the area.

Rich Melloni, Dick’s son, said he was humbled by the donations to the charity formed by his friends and family after his father, a former fire chief in Wareham who was known for giving back to area youth, passed away suddenly in 1993. Since its inception, the toy drive has grown and grown. Last year, toys were given to 563 children from 239 families — a majority of whom live in Wareham and Onset.

“They deserve credit,” Melloni said. “It’s an honor. It’s not a simple endeavor. We’re very fortunate to be on the receiving end of their charity.”

Fans were also encouraged to bring toys to the game, and were given free admission for doing so. The result was a large turnout, and a large number of toys to go to Wareham’s less fortunate.

“We’re so happy to see all the support from everyone,” said Tricia Brogioli, the wife of Wareham coach David Brogioli, who helped put on the event along with the Viking JV and varsity squads. “All the girls brought toys.”

“It’s an honor to give back to the town because a lot of people need help,” said senior captain Brianna Tavares, who said she and other teammates spread the word any way they could. “Everyone really came together. We love to help our town.”

Unfortunately, the team didn’t fare so well on the court, though the Vikings got out to an early lead and got 11 points out of senior guard Tieyanna Yancy, including seven in the first quarter.

Bishop Stang eventually pulled ahead for good at the end of the first quarter, though, led by senior guard Rebekah Patterson and freshman forward Rylie Carreau, who had 13 points apiece.

“People think I’m nuts, but I’ll take more positives from this game. We’ve been so bad in scrimmages and we haven’t had a complement of people. Kids have been sick, we’ve had injuries, a couple kids were at a wedding. . . Stang’s a well-coached man-to-man team. I thought this was more competitive than last year’s game with them. But obviously, we still have a ton to work on.”

Brogioli said that last year, the Melloni family helped the Vikings’ teams with another fundraiser, and they wanted to give back to them for their help.

“Richie has always helped us out,” he said, “and this year we wanted to do something to give back to him because he does such a great job.”