A Blaze of Glory for Firefighters On the Hardwood

This was not your average basketball game.

It was the kind where a single blue jersey gets the first seat on the bench and where little kids get to tour the players' vehicles after the game.

The kind with sirens, that is.

West Pierce Fire & Rescue reclaimed the trophy in the seventh annual Helmets vs. Shields charity game after falling in 2010 to the Lakewood Police Department on Saturday at Pierce College in Lakewood.

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. Although the final score was far less meaningful than the purpose of the night.

“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.

Sponsored by Forza Coffee, the event 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. The final amount brought in by the game, raffle and silent auction will be released later this week.

Sgt. John Unfred, treasurer for the Lakewood Officers’ Charity, said he's expecting 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 2010 – 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 whirled through the air during player introductions prior to 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’ number, 45, being 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 responded immediately after, 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, giving the police officers a 15-12 lead to close 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. He finished with 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 Class 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 including a 3-pointer.

The firefighters led 58-50 headed into the fourth quarter and pulled away 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.”