DOCTORS AND LAWYERS PLAY GAME TONIGHT

Tonight local doctors and lawyers set aside their stethoscopes and briefcases in favor of a basketball.

Tipoff is at 7:30 at Central High School Fieldhouse for the fifth annual Doctor-Lawyer Basketball game.

Proceeds benefit the Community Counseling Center Foundation, which provides money for capital projects.

"If you want to see good basketball, you should try SEMO or the local high schools," said Dr. Greg Leet, coach of the Doctors team. "This is more along the lines of a comedy show. Every once in awhile you will see some good basketball, but we do hear a lot more laughs than cheers."

A good-natured rivalry has developed over the years. The lawyers hope to repeat last year's victory, but the doctors say they will win tonight.

"We're hoping to defend our title," said lawyer John Harding, who has played basketball each of the five years the game has been held. "We all have been surprised with the success and the turnout."

"We're really happy to help the Community Counseling Center," Leet said. "But, you know, sometimes we're surprised people would pay money to see us play. At least the fans get to see the doctors or lawyers in a whole different atmosphere."

Every year the doctors and lawyers meet before the game to talk about the competition.

"We always say we really want to make it a light-hearted affair, but as soon as they blow the whistle all bets are off," Leet said. "Even though we're old, we still like a little competition."

Harding agreed.

"We try to have a lot of fun, and we realize it's for the Community Counseling Center Foundation," said Harding. "However, for us ex-athletes there is still some competition."

Ten people have collected $250 each to participate in the MVP Long-Distance Shoot-Out during halftime.

In addition, raffles will be going on for a variety of donated prizes, including basketballs signed by the celebrity doctors and lawyers.

A pre-game patron party will be held from 5:30 to 7 at the Royal N'Orleans Restaurant. Tickets are $30 per person and may be purchased in advance from the Community Counseling Center.

Game tickets are available in advance from the center, Schnucks, SEMO Specialities and Sports, or at the door.

Kathy Swan, co-chairman of the event, said money raised is used for capital projects and improvements. In the past, vans have been purchased to transport clients to appointments. Used furniture was purchased for residents of the Louis E. Masterman Group Home. In addition, computer upgrades were bought that allowed center psychologists and doctors to more easily access patient records.

"Every penny stays in the five-county area the Community Counseling Center serves," Swan said. The counties are Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Perry, Madison and Ste. Genevieve.

A new office was opened this year in Bollinger County, and the facility in Perry County was expanded.

"The phrase at the Community Counseling Center is `Helping people's lives work better,'" Swan said. "The medical and legal communities and all the volunteers are helping those who are helping people's lives work better."

DOCTOR-LAWYER BASKETBALL GAME LINEUP

Doctors

Brian "Bone Crusher" Stevens

Jeff "Man of" Steele

Greg "Pistol Pete" Leet

James "Dr. J" Chapman

David "As the Bird Flies" Crowe

Rickey "Bull in China Store" Lents

Richard "Husker" Martin

Kyle "Eye of the Storm" Brost

Steve "The Gas Passer" Brennan

Pat "Back with a Vengeance" Roupp

Matt "Send 'em Packin'" Shepard

Taylor "Weapon off the Bench" Bahn

Todd "The Unstoppable" Lumsden

Charlie "Coast to Coast" Pancoast

Coached by Greg "Pistol Pete" Leet

Lawyers

Curt "Better Rich Than" Poore

Jeff "Jammin'" Dix

Ted "Top Dog" Yates

Scott "Nothin' But Net" Lipke

Paul "Bunyon" Hahn

Patrick "Lefty" O'Loughlin

John "Warren G." Harding

Scott "Grizzly Adams" Fetterhoff

Joseph "The Enforcer" Hendrickson

Kevin "Fuzzy" Zoellner

Steve "Soft Hands" Juergens

Mike "Rough Cut" Deimund

Tim "Fuddy" Ruddy

Brian "Leap of Faith" Mauk

Mike "Grit and Glory" Stites

Dan "Above the Rim" Rau

Coached by Al "Sasquatch" Spradling