LYNN — There were no losers during Saturday’s Battle of the Badges basketball game between the Lynn Police Department and Lynn Fire Department – just a lot of good, clean, hard-fought action from start to finish.
Both teams put on a show at Lynn Tech, draining countless 3-pointers, banging the boards, and diving on the floor for loose balls – much to the delight of a large crowd in support of the cause.
By the time all the dust had settled, Lynn Fire ended up with bragging rights, 58-50, withstanding a spirited fourth-quarter run by Police.
Truth be told, this was all about community and camaraderie. Former Lynn English standout LaShaunda Hogan, who, along with fellow officer Ben Craven, were the leaders in bringing the game to fruition.
“It all started with Bob Liberge, who came up with the Battle of the Badges concept a couple of years ago,” Hogan said. “He had the idea for the hockey and softball games, so this game was just a natural progression from that. Unfortunately, he couldn’t be here, so Ben Craven and I took it over as far as getting practices in, ordering uniforms, and just getting the team together to prepare and make today happen.”
Both teams served notice early that they had come to play. Brendan Powicki hit one from downtown to give Police an early 3-0 lead. Seconds later, Fire Lt. Jacob Bradley answered right back with a three of his own.
Fire gradually seized momentum, building a 16-5 lead after back-to-back threes from Bradley and Joe Comeau, and still led 16-12 going into the second quarter and 32-24 at halftime.
Both teams made runs in the third quarter. Tailing by nine, Police closed to within four at 37-33 after a three by Frank Perry and layup by Robert Supinski. The teams traded buckets the rest of the way. Police looked to be within striking distance after Jonah Hodgdon collected his own rebound and put it back to make it a one-shot game at 41-38 with about 10 seconds to go in the third.
He came up big at the other end of the court with a big block, but the ball popped into Comeau’s hands, who nailed a buzzer-beating three to send Fire into the final 10 minutes with a 44-38 lead.
“The ball came right back to me and I had an open shot,” Comeau said. “I was just lucky to make it.”
“That really gave them all the momentum,” Hogan said. “We thought we were out of the quarter when Jonah Hodgdon blocked that shot, but somehow, they managed to hit that three – that was a killer.”
Chris Kelly pulled Police to within three, 44-41, after opening the fourth quarter with a long 3-pointer from the corner, but that was as close as it got for Police.
IABBO refs Jim Beliveau and Ryan Salvador generously donated their time refereeing the game. Lynn English football players worked the scoreboard and collected admission fees at the door.
“I have to give a big shoutout to Jim and Ryan, and Lynn English football coach Tyllor McDonald for today,” Hogan said. “And also, I have to thank the community, who really came out for this. Everyone came together to support us and it was a great show of camaraderie from everyone.”
“It was fun seeing the guys compete,” Salvador said. “Both teams were pretty good. It was a great atmosphere with a big crowd and both teams were really into it.”
Hogan said a decision has yet to be made about the recipient of the event’s proceeds, which have yet to be tallied.
“We’ve done a bunch of different things in the past and we’ve talked about organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs or something like that in the community,” she said. “It will go to a good cause.”
Bradley, the chief organizer for Fire and former St. Mary’s hoop standout, said it “wasn’t too bad for some old, broken-down machines. We still have our competitive juices even though our bodies aren’t what they used to be. It was unfortunate with their guy having to leave the game with an injury. Our goal is always to leave in one piece.”
Bradley is committed to continuing the cause in the future.
“Absolutely. If we can get the guys to come out, we will do this again,” he said. “A big part of why we do this is for the community and to raise money for charity. It allows the community to personalize us on a different level.”
Police detective Tim Ferrari, a former St. Mary’s hockey standout, coached the Police squad. He agreed with Bradley.
“It’s for a good cause and it gives all of us a chance to be involved in the community,” he said. “The game was excellent. It was competitive. I’m a hockey player coaching a basketball team, so that doesn’t always work out well, but I had some great basketball minds like LaShaunda and Mike Kmiec to lean on, so I’d say it was a great day overall.”