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  Cops & Robber’s Game

By Julie Freeman

Friday, December 3, 1999 the Engadine High School Seniors played a very exciting basketball game against Police Officers. This Cops and Robber’s game was held to raise money for the Senior’s Class.

The team of “Cops” came from the State Police Post in Newberry, Manistique, St.Ignace, and Sault Ste. Marie, along with Bay Mills PD and an officer from the DNR law division. (Player Dennis Kleeman, from the MSP Manistique Post, is one of Engadine’s past alumni).

The team of “Robber’s” were Tiffany Metcalf, Melanie Graham, Wade Smith, Andrew Ocko, Nate Neumeyer, Emily Outwater, Emily Reid, Joey Bowers, Scott Rutherford, Heather Livermore and Josh Ott. Their coach was Joel Schultz

Other Senior’s helping were Belynda Lamb, Luke Formolo, Wendy Kerridge, and Hillary Goetschy who worked the candy sale. 
RubyLewisCollecting.JPG (66148 bytes) Taking tickets, at the door, was Ruby Lewis. 
Sarah Whitney sold tickets for the cake raffle.

 

 WNBY Radio crew.JPG (116468 bytes)

Live coverage of the game was held on WNBY’s radio station.

 


The Engadine Eagle’s Band played, while Sarah Whitney beautifully sang the Star Spangle Banner.  

 The opening jump.JPG (165655 bytes)Official, Joe Weber tosses the ball up and six-foot, number 24, Emily Outwater and 6’4 number 52, an Officer of the MSP Manistique Post jumps for the ball and the game begun!

It was an exciting game, but what added to the fun was when a foul was made. For every foul, the seniors or Officers made, they had to collect one dollar from the stands to play in the game again. The keystone cops and Nathen Newmyer.JPG (155906 bytes) This is where the “Keystone Cops” played by Jerry Derusha and Pastor Tim Miller came in. The person who made a foul was hand cuffed and couldn’t participate in the game until they collected at least one dollar from the crowd. (Many gave generously, more then the one-dollar!) As the game progressed the seniors became uncooperative, when they made a foul they RAN from the Cops, making this a very entertaining show!

At half time, Randy Graham provided a fatal vision goggle demonstration. Seniors did a variety of demonstrations with the basketball while wearing special goggles that gave them impaired vision. This demonstration showed how eye-hand coordination is affected, not only while playing a sport but especially when operation a motor vehicle when someone is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The senior’s would first bounce the ball, tossed it to another player, shoot a basket and walk a straight line, without the goggles on. Wade Smith getting ready to walk the line.JPG (82490 bytes)Then they tried to do the same thing with them on, needless to say they couldn’t control their actions well. This was a very influential demonstration.  

  Wade Smith walking the line with goggles on to simulate a drunk.JPG (123302 bytes) Wade Smith walking the line with goggles on to simulate a drunk2.JPG (142708 bytes)

Santa Claus arriving.JPG (106734 bytes)Santa Claus also made an appearance during half time where children were given candy and could sit on his lap for pictures and of coarse to tell Santa what was on their  Christmas list.

Santa Claus holding a child.JPG (113650 bytes)

Wade Smith with the ball.JPG (128532 bytes)The game was close at halftime, 35 to 27 with the Officers in the lead. The seniors pulled ahead in the third scoring 47 to 45. Then in the exciting fourth quarter, with a score of 60 to the Seniors 61, number 20 Steve Seccia from the MSP St.Ignace Post came out from no where, with one second remaining, shot and made the basket as the buzzer rang. The game ended with the Officers scoring 62 to the Eagles 61.

The Traveling Award was given to the winning team.  Senior Joey Bowers received the MVP award and Scott Rutherford, Melanie Graham and Heather Livermore received a trooper bear.

Senior class advisor, Duane Stachler was very please with such a wonderful turnout. Over 900 dollars was raised and will go toward the Senior’s Class trip to Florida in the Spring. Everyone was greatly appreciated for showing such wonderful community support, where approximately 250 to 300 people attended this fun, First Annual Cops and Robber’s game!

The Keystone Cops cuffing Lester Livermore the score keeper.JPG (145876 bytes)Keystone Cops, Jerry Derusha and Pastor Tim Miller of the Naubinway Mennonite Church. They have Lester Livermore in handcuffs. Lester is very supportive, especally when it comes to kids, he's always there for them and is more then willing to lend a helping hand with all activities at the school.