Former Raider Cliff Branch lowered his head and rushed down the
court with the ball tucked under his arm and then put the ball in
the hoop.
Former Raider Cliff Branch lowered his head and rushed down the court with the ball tucked under his arm and then put the ball in the hoop.
“I had a flashback,” Branch said as he grabbed the mike during Friday night’s celebrity fundraiser basketball game at the Live Oak gymnasium.
It was a game that featured the antics and quips of five former Raiders and 49ers, consistently giving the near capacity crowd causes to burst into laughter.
The Morgan Hill Police Officers Association netted about $11,000 to go toward its many community events that it sponsors.
“We really had no idea what to expect in the first year,” said MHPOA President Sergeant Mark Brazeal. “The promoters said that it was one of the biggest crowds that they had seen especially for a first-year event. Look for it again next year.”
Brazeal said that the event raised double what any other previous MHPOA fundraiser raised previously.
Although the Morgan Hill police force had 11 players on its roster, the former football players were still able to dominate, using their size to walk right over the police.
Former 49er players like Eason Ranson (6-3), and five time Pro Bowler Guy McIntyre (6-3) towered over everyone else. Former Niner Tim Collier led all scoring with 16 points.
Branch, who spent 13 seasons with the Raiders as a wide receiver, and Rod Martin, an 11-year Raider linebacker, filled out the roster. Bob “The Barber” even made a special appearance to give the celebs an occasional breather. The celebrities signed autographs for fans during halftime.
Officer Erin McNish, one of the shortest players on the floor, took the opening tip and was greatly undermatched. McNish dropped in a pair of baskets in the fourth quarter.
“It was a blast,” McNish said. “I haven’t played in anything other the church league. It was fun to play against them. They are all good guys. But sometimes it was like running into a brick wall.”
Corporal Neumayer hit a pair of three pointers and finished with 10 points in the game.
Sergeant Troy Hoefling and Detective Shane Palsgrove had eight points for the police.
“It was just great to get out there with the guys and be seen in the community,” Hoefling said.
Officer Rod Knewson, the oldest player on the floor at 43, managed to record a pair of baskets.
“We brought in our secret weapons at the end,” Knewson said. “I was passing the ball a lot because I can’t shoot.”
Most of the free throws in the game were shot by members of the audience hand picked to have their moment of fame on the court.
The police, who were wearing their badge number on their jersies, started to wear down the former pros, in the second half but were never able to regain the lead against the football players, who play about 50 charity games a year. The football players won 49-44.
