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Community Corner

A Blaze Of Glory For Firefighters On The Hardwood

Annual charity basketball game between Lakewood Police and West Pierce Fire & Rescue raises money for charities -- and invokes good natured rivalry.

This is not your average basketball game.

It’s the kind where a single blue jersey gets the first seat on the bench.

It’s the kind where little kids get to tour the players’ vehicles after the game – the kind with sirens, that is.

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And it’s the kind where the final score is far less meaningful than the greater purpose of the night.

On Saturday night, West Pierce Fire & Rescue reclaimed the trophy in the seventh annual Helmets vs. Shields charity game after falling in 2010 the Lakewood Police Department

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The firefighters were adamant about taking the title after winning the previous five meetings between the two groups, and they were more than satisfied with the 72-61 result, even if it was all in good fun.

“It went awesome,” said Fire Capt. Jenny Sharp. “We had a great turnout, it was a great game and all of the guys played hard.”

As for the win, Sharp added with a smile, “That’s what I was hoping for, and it came true.”

The firefighters’ victory means that Chief Ken Sharp will be driven around for a day by Police Chief Bret Farrar per the terms of a pregame bet.

Most importantly, the event, sponsored by Forza Coffee, surpassed last year’s record total of $7,500 raised for the Lakewood Officers’ Charity’s Make a Difference Fund and the fire district’s Life Safety Charity Fund, which will benefit both University Place and Lakewood.

The final amount brought in by the game, raffle and silent auction will not be known until later this week, but Sgt. John Unfred, treasurer for the Lakewood Officers’ Charity, said that he expected it to exceed $10,000.

“We’re looking good,” he said. “We had more auction items this year, more raffle items, and the sponsors. We’re going to come out much more ahead than last year.”

Unfred said the turnout was about as good as last year – around 500 people – and that the crowd definitely had energy. Red and blue rally towels were passed out to the first 300 fans, and they whirred through the air as each player was introduced before tipoff.

One name, though, received a standing ovation on the police side.

Officer Tim Borchardt ran onto the court holding a police team jersey emblazoned with the name of Officer Ronnie Owens, one of four Lakewood police fatally shot in November 2009. Owens had played in every Helmets vs. Shields game prior to his death – and his colleagues made sure he would not be forgotten.

“I felt honored to be able to bring it out,” Borchardt said. “Ronnie was a big part of this team, and we want to make sure he’s always a part of this team.”

In addition to Owens’ No. 45 embroidered on the left shoulder of each player’s uniform, his own jersey was draped over the first seat on the police department’s bench.

“Ronnie wouldn’t tell you, but his knees were starting to go,” Officer Ken Henson said. “But he was going to come out here every year and support the team. He was one of the greatest guys you’d ever want to meet.”

The firefighters scored first, but the police department answered immediately, and on their next possession, Henson sent a soaring 3-pointer into the net to lend some genuine credibility to the game. He also had a key steal late in the quarter that resulted in a layup to put the police up 15-12 at the end of the opening period.

“They play their hearts out,” Unfred said. “They don’t just walk through the motion … You can see the competitiveness in their eyes.”

Officer Jeff Martin, who played eight years of professional basketball before going into law enforcement, hit his first of several 3-pointers early in the second quarter en route to a team-high 13 points.

Kids were a key part of the game, chanting “Go Daddy!” and taking to the hardwood at halftime to shoot some hoops. At times, some of them joined their fathers on the bench – even those whose feet did not even touch the ground. And a halftime presentation honored the Clover Park High School boys basketball team, which won the 2A state title in March.

The firefighters led 37-36 at the half, aided by a 3-pointer by firefighter Collin Murphy and a barrage of shots by Capt. Mike Harn, who scored a game-high 20 points. Firefighter Lance Nelson contributed another 12 points for his team, including a 3-pointer.

The firefighters took a 58-50 lead into the fourth quarter and pulled away shortly after to bring the golden ball back to the station.

Harn was incredulous that he scored the most points of the night.

“When they’re a lot younger than you are, it’s a lot harder to run,” he said with a laugh.

So what is harder: Playing a full game of basketball or fighting a fire?

“Definitely this much basketball,” he said. “I think I’ll sleep well tonight.”

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