MHPD make fourth quarter comeback to tie 49ers
The Blue Knights of the Morgan Hill Police Officers Association (MHPOA) took on some NFL celebrities from the San Francisco 49ers Friday at Sobrato High School in a community fundraising basketball game.
While the Morgan Hill police officers were undersized compared to some of the ex-49ers, specifically 6 feet 9 inches tall, 16-year NFL veteran Gary Plummer, their hearts were just as big as they fought their way back from a 12-point halftime deficit to tie the game 43-43 at the end.
Teaming up with Community Service Projects of Central Coast (CSPCC), members of the MHPOA hope that events like this let the community know that they, too, are normal people.
About 70 people attended the event. Tickets were $20 for adults. The association sponsors community programs such as the YMCA, Live Oak Boosters, Friday Night Music Series, Leadership Morgan Hill, as well as various local local scholarships to deserving students.
“A lot of times people only see us for the bad things, but this is a great way for people to see us having fun, and for the kids to get to have some fun in the process,” Morgan Hill police officer Troy Hoefling said.
Some of the children in attendance shot free throws for both teams when a shooting foul was called.
Hoefling’s son, Andrew, 7, came into the game and knocked down a free throw to give the Morgan Hill Blue Knights the lead with 41 seconds left in the third quarter, but the 49ers took the lead back on their ensuing possession.
“We love it,” Hoefling said. “It’s great for people to come out, get autographs, and it allows us to raise funds for the Morgan Hill Police Officers Association.”
Hoefling, who has participated in celebrity basketball games for six years, said even though his opponents are ex-football players, they can hoop it up also.
“The guys we play with are awesome,” he said. “Even though it’s not their sport, they still tear it up.”
Six-year NFL standout Dana McLemore plays in celebrity basketball games through First Down Promotions two times a month, year round.
“We travel all over the U.S., from Alaska to New Mexico to Minnesota,” McLemore said. “It’s all about giving back to the community and giving back to the kids.”
Regarding the level of basketball talent he saw in the local police officers, McLemore jokingly said, “They’re not very good, but we’ve played against worse.”
As the 49ers All-Stars enjoyed a 28-16 halftime lead over the local cops, they signed autographs, and shot around with the children in attendance.
First Down Promotions manager and player/coach for the 49ers All-Stars Dele Sobomehin said the most important things about benefit basketball games are bringing a positive environment and helping build good public relations for the police.
“It brings some excitement to the city, and it also shows another side of the police officers and the celebrities … it shows that they are human, too,” Sobomehin said. “As far as the 49ers goes, it helps with hyping up the game.”
In his two years managing First Down Promotions, Sobomehin said he has seen a clear correlation between how well the 49ers are doing, and how many people come out to the benefit games.
Seeing that the 49ers are having a losing season, it makes sense that there were some empty seats in the bleachers at the Sobrato gym.
CSPCC event coordinator Gary Soucy, who also served as the play-by-play game announcer, enjoyed seeing kids having fun.
“It’s a great chance for the kids to come out, be part of the community and have some fun,” Soucy said. “And by the looks on their faces, they are definitely having fun.”
