Rivalry highlights charity game
Published 7:36 pm Tuesday, January 18, 2011
By By JONATHAN CLAYBORNE
jonathan@wdnweb.com
Staff Writer
A long-standing, if good-natured, rivalry will play out on the court at 7 p.m. Jan. 29 during the fourth-annual Guns &Hoses basketball game at Washington High School.
The game pits the Washington Police Departments team, the Guns, against the Washington firefighters team, the Hoses, in a charitable showdown thats become a local tradition.
The proceeds raised by these two teams, and through donations at the door, go to Eagles Wings, a food pantry in Washington.
Last year, the Hoses two-game winning streak was broken as the Guns emerged victorious for the first time in the events history.
No doubt, the Hoses hope to avenge last years loss.
Despite the heat behind this competition, fire Chief Robbie Rose declined to forecast an outcome.
I cant ever tell, Rose said. Those guys surprised us last year. Were going to go out there heads up. Were not going to take it for granted.
Police Chief Mick Reed indicated the game pits two natural allies against one another in a battle thats fun for the fans and the players.
One of the really fun things is that even though were all in emergency services, youve got firefighters who are very dedicated to the fire profession, youve got police officers who are very dedicated to law enforcement, Reed said. We always work as a team.
The Guns team is captained by Isaak Barrett, an investigator with the police department.
The Hoses team is captained by Otis Harrell, a firefighter/emergency medical technician, and Brian Lilley, an engineer with the fire department.
Rose predicts the Hoses will have around seven to nine members, perhaps more, while Reed expects the Guns to number about 15.
Both chiefs declined to contribute any trash talk to the proceedings.
I better not issue any challenges, Rose said. Sometimes you might have to eat your words in those situations.
I learned better than that a long time ago, Reed said.
Admission to the game is free, but attendees may bring monetary donations or contribute canned goods or other nonperishable items, related Sally Love, executive director of Eagles Wings.
We do make a little bit of money on it, but because were not charging admission its more of a thank-you to the community for supporting us throughout the year, Love commented.
For more information, call Eagles Wings at 252-975-1138.