The Selma Police Department and Selma Fire Department are preparing for a basketball showdown at Meadowview Christian Saturday at 11 a.m. that will not only showcase the leaders of our community battling on the court, but also help a worthy cause this holiday season.

Admission for the game is $3 for adults or a toy, which will go to Toys for Tots. The admission cost for children is $1 or a toy.

“This is a yearly event we do around Christmas time,” Captain James Murphy of the Selma Fire Department said. “We do it to get presents and raise money for Toys for Tots.”

All of the toys will be given out to area kids at a Christmas party at the PAL Center Dec. 19 at 5 p.m.

“We are trying to give the kids in our community a different perspective about police and fire department people,” co-organizer Det. Dorothy Cowan said.

Murphy and Cowan said the departments enjoy playing in the game and getting the chance to see a lot of local people.

“We get the public to come out and give them something to do and we play basketball to show comradery and intertwine with the public and mingle with them,” Murphy said.

Cowan said part of the reason for the game is to give the kids in the community a different perspective about police and fire department members.

“When the think of police officers we want them to look at someone that is out there to help them, as well as to protect them,” Cowan said.

This is around the tenth year the event has been held, Murphy said. He said each department has a lot of fun with the game, but over the last few years the fire department has earned bragging rights.

“I guess its sad to say but the police department the last few times has whipped up on them pretty bad,” Murphy said while laughing.

Cowan said the police department has some new officers and a little strategy for this year’s matchup.

“We are always teasing each other about it, about who is going to win and who won the game and who is the best,” Cowan said. “A little bit of bragging goes into it but it is all in fun.”

Murphy, who also coaches the boys varsity at Meadowview Christian, said his team will scrimmage at halftime of the law enforcement game.

He joked that he hopes to have a good performance in the game so that his players see he still can play. For more info contact dcowan@selma-al.gov or j-e-murphy@live.com.