HMS Faculty Upsets Police
But Nobody’s Turning Pro
RORY RIDDLER
City Council President
I’ve never been much of a basketball fan, a fact that seems to be tolerated in a region that never quite embraced the game. If I had to sum up my impressions of basketball, it appears to be a contest between two glandular giants, each supported by four other guys who occasionally get to make baskets when the really tall guys get tired. That and selling athletic shoes seem to be the main point of the game.
Going to a basketball game, even for a good cause, didn’t hold much appeal. It’s September and the baseball Cardinals are about to clinch another playoff. Who wants to sit and watch basketball?
As it turned out...I had a great time.
The occasion was the annual battle between the faculty of Hardin Middle School and our own St. Charles City Police. For the unheard of donation of just one dollar, parents were invited to join their sons and daughters courtside for this grueling grudge match. I can’t understand how the Lakers get by charging hundreds of dollars for the same seat I had, close enough to “smell” the action.
The cause was to raise money for Backstoppers, a great charity that supports the families of slain or injured officers. Appropriately enough this annual fundraiser is also held to commemorate 9/11 and those public safety professionals who gave their lives in the line-of duty. The school sold tickets to students and parents and also sold t-shirts to raise an impressive $1,280 for Backstoppers.
Hardin’s brand new gym was the site of the contest. It seems every bit as large as its high school counterpart and the air conditioning on a hot day was welcome relief to those acquainted with Hardin’s old gym. The bleachers were filled to the rafters with howling fans of the Tiger faculty. The Police wouldn’t have it easy “taking down” these bad boys (and girls) in their own house. If all else failed I noticed the two score keepers were prepared to use New Math to pull out a victory. The Police might be packing heat, but Hardin Principal Mike Ebert was packing detention slips.
The teams took the court. They seemed evenly matched. So evenly matched at first, that it took ten minutes of playtime for someone to actually put a ball in a basket. In the basement of the Justice Center, we have a sophisticated computer and video program that allows officers to practice their firearm skills in a variety of real life simulations...not one of which was a basketball game.
Led by their team captain, Police Chief Tim Swope, the Police drew first blood and slam-dunked the first two-pointer. At one point they were as much as nine points ahead. But Hardin’s faculty got their game face on and began to play like there were scouts from the Detroit Pistons in the stands. Their team spirit must have been buoyed by the impressive half-time show, because they dominated the second half with Nothing But Net from the home team.
Hamstrung by outdated NBA rules preventing the use of deadly force, our St. Charles Police were unable to hold back the Katrina like onslaught of the faculty. If the pen is mightier than the sword, then the HMS faculty proved that chalk is mightier than mace. Hardin’s faculty won the contest, 54 to 42.
The stands went wild. For a moment, just a moment, it was like Madison Square Garden and the teachers deservedly basked in their glory. Perhaps remembering their own teachers, and displaying the kind of good sportsmanship that distinguishes most sporting events in our country, the Police officers joined in cheering the victors. It was all for a wonderful cause and who could say if they had gone easy on the “civilians” or not. Besides...there is always next year.
As the crowd started to disperse, I went over to shake hands with a few of the participants. Shaking the Chief’s hand I couldn’t help teasing Tim Swope about his background in sports (especially since I have none). I knew the Chief had played ball in college. Trying not to grin too early I asked, “It wasn’t basketball you played in college was it Chief?” No, it was baseball. “That’s what I thought,” I said smiling. It’s summer in St. Louis...and the Cardinals are doing great.
