By Wendy Giroux

A team of senior boys basketball players will face off against a team of police officers on Friday, March 11, in the annual Cops vs. Kids fundraiser.

Mercer Island police have held a game and raised funds for Special Olympics Washington every year since 1994, except for last year when they skipped the game. They have raised a total of $50,000, Sgt. Lance Davenport said.

The game will follow the Sonics vs. Chicago Bulls game, which starts at 7:30 p.m. at Key Arena. Officers are selling tickets to the game as a fundraiser, as well as taking donations.

“This is part of Law Enforcement Torch Run, which goes back some years — an international charity for law enforcement,” Davenport said.

The fundraiser used to literally be a torch run, but around 1994, national organizers decided to open it up so that individual groups could customize the fundraiser to their communities.

“With our tradition of basketball on the Island, we created Cops vs. Kids and were the first agency to do so,” he said.

The “Cops” team is not practicing this year, so it’s anyone’s guess how the game will go. Wins and losses have been fairly even in the past.

“I think the kids have won a few more, but it’s actually been a pretty competitive game,” Davenport said.

Ticket prices are $24 and $46 for seats in the upper bowl, or $75 for seats in the lower bowl. Half of the $24 and $46 tickets will be donated to Special Olympics; $20 of the $75 tickets will be donated. To buy tickets, make a donation or find out more, contact Davenport by e-mail at lance.davenport@ci.mercer-island.wa.us or by phone at 236-3500.