Cops Vs Kids Game Benefits Neptune Alliance
By ANDREW CANGIANO
Its not everyday you see police officers and teenagers talking tough to one another – and no arrests are made.
This was a little different, however.
Neptune High School hosted its first annual kids vs. cops charity basketball game on Friday night, as the event featured door prizes and a dunk contest during halftime.
It was a fun thing to do, you know, on a Friday night, said Nathanael Pacius, a sophomore at Neptune High School, who participated in the game.
All of the proceeds from the game benefited the Neptune Township Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
Coaster Photos
Neptune police officers faced off against students during a benefit game at Neptune High School last week.
The brand new auxillary gym at Neptune High School was packed with about 275 cheering fans, who watched student athletes go head-to-head against the Neptune Township Police.
The contest featured plenty of good natured jawing between the cops and the students as they battled it out for bragging rights.
During halftime, Neptune High School athletes showed their leaping abilities, as they wowed fans during the dunk contest.
The three winners were: third place – Daniel Singleton, second place – Brian Stephney, first place – Isaiah Humphrey.
The game looked like it would be a run-away win for Neptunes finest, as they led 23-14 after one quarter and 34-23 at the half.
However, the high schoolers got serious in the second half as they took a 50-42 lead late in the third quarter.
Pacius said the students team played better in the second half of the game.
We did good, in the second half, he said. The first half, they was literally blowing us out. The second half we just came back.
A shot by Shawn Poland right before the quarters end gave the students a slim 52-48 lead going into the fourth quarter.
In the end, the officers were not to be denied as they clawed back to tie the game at 67 and went on to win 71-69.
However, the game was more about the cause it supported, rather than who won or lost.
All of the proceeds from the ticket sales went towards the alliance and money raised through concession sales went to the Neptune Biddy Basketball League.
The alliance works to prevent substance abuse in the community and to provide meaningful prevention programs for all township residents.
Tina Morgan, the alliances chair, said through events like the charity basketball game the organization hopes to provide more positive entertainment within the community.
She said the alliance is planning on hosting a softball game in the spring and a flag/touch football game as well, with parents and teachers participating.
The coach for the students team was Jerome Hubbard, a teacher and coach at Neptune Middle School. The coach for the police team was Lt. Darrell Furman.
It was great, Furman said about the game, adding that the turnout was great as well.
Standing room only crowd, too, he said. Looked like Madison Square Garden.
The game sponsors were Theos Demolition in Neptune, the Neptune Township Police Department, and the townships Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and Police Benevolence Association (PBA).
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