With an eight-point lead at the start of the second quarter, the third year of the Lake County Clergy vs Law Enforcement basketball game was looking good for those wearing clergy cloths on March 29. Spectators watch a tie-breaking game of annual Lake County Clergy vs Law Enforcement basketball game. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) Although the friendly game between Lake County Clergy and Lake County Law Enforcement is to raise money for the Painesville Salvation Army’s Learning Zone Program, that didn’t stop both sides from their fair share of fouls with both teams up for free throws in the first quarter. Members of the Law-Enforcement team pose for a photo while they are on the sidelines. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) This year is special, according to Lake County NAACP President Chris Lee, who said that because the series is tied 1-1 with Law Enforcement, they were considering this their tie-breaking game and put up trophies and heavy rings for the winners to mark the occasion. “I think it’s going to be competitive but it’s going to be fun,” Lee said a few minutes before stepping onto the court at the Salvation Army Painesville Corp Community Center. “Rapport with the community, rapport with the law enforcement, just community engagement,” Lee said on why they have the yearly event at “I think we should all live in a civilized community and be able to talk to one another when it’s time.” Team Clergy block a member of Lake County Law-enforcement team. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) Rings that will be handed out winning team are pictured. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) Representing the police, Toby Burgett, who works as the Administrative lieutenant for the Painesville Police Department, said he was looking forward to a fun game. “Looking forward to it, like he said, we each have on win, and we will see how it goes today,” Burgett said. “But we all have fun, that’s all it’s about. “We worked hard for my entire career to constantly work on a relationship and having a good relationship with the community. This is a small part of what we do and how we try to engage the community and be apart of it.” Lake County NAACP President Chris Lee (left) and Toby Burgett, the Administrative lieutenant for the Painesville Police Department talk to the crowd before the game begins. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) Law-enforcement warm up before the game. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) The Learning Zone Program, which hosts Painesville City Local School students that are in first through the five grades, combines learning with playtime, and to cap it off – a snack, according to Major John Riley – the commanding officer of the Painesville branch of the Salvation Army. “When they first come off the bus they have free time in the gym, and then anyone that has homework has to do their homework during that time,” Riley said. “And then, when everyone is here, we have an organized game and then they have snacks. And all the kids get tutoring throughout the week, different days, kids are assigned different tutors. “They are all former educators, all professional teachers, so it’s awesome…” Lake County Law-Enforcement face opposition from Clergy in the first quarter. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) Clergy can be seen up by two during the first quarter. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) In the end, Lake County Clergy won the game 60-42, thus breaking the two-year tie and taking home the title. ...read more read less