Inclement weather originally postponed the event this February, but finally on Thursday the Madison County Sherriff’s department was able to host its DARE basketball game, an event to help raise money for the school’s DARE program.
“It’s a very positive event with the teachers of the school, the law enforcement and the kids working all together as one,” said Madison Sherriff Eric Weaver. “And it’s all to benefit the kids in the end.
Madison’s School Resource Officer, Drew Eanes and Mountaineer’s coach, Ben Breeden, helped to orchestrate the event.
Sandwiched in between a game featuring the officers of the Sherriff’s department and the school’s faculty, were 3-point and dunk contests that included a handful of seniors from the Group A Division 1 champs.
“Officer Eanes and I talked a lot about this event early in the year,” Breeden said. “We wanted to find a way to get our kids involved and I thought they did a great job tonight.”
After Eanes’ squad took a thumping in the first half of their game, Trey Hensley beat Matt Gar in the 3-point competition while David Falk took down Jerel Carter in the dunk contest. Madison guard Casey Campbell provided emcee work throughout both the game and halftime special.
The officers and school staff resumed play immediately after, and while the entertainment was at center court, the heart of the event was at the gate as Weaver and company looked to raise money.
“This is the single biggest fundraiser we have for the DARE program,” Weaver said. “And in a rural community like Madison, the DARE program is real important to us and our kids. We want to continue to use it and all the kudos (of this event) go out Drew Eanes for making it happen.”
