First Responders Battle in Basketball Court of Champions

The Santa Barbara Basketball Court of Champions, begun in 2014 to recognize people in the community who have made significant contributions to the sport, hosts charity basketball games to honor our local First Responders Saturday, December 7, at 2 pm in Westmont’s Murchison Gym. The event features teams of police and sheriffs against firefighters and members of the Bucket Brigade in one game and medical units and media against local youth leaders in another.

The event will also honor this year’s Court of Champion Inductees: Sonny Allen, former NBA coach and head coach of the Santa Barbara Islanders; Sampson Brue, regional scout for the NBA’s referee operations; Keith Closs, former player of the Los Angeles Clippers, Harlem Globetrotters and Santa Barbara Breakers; Linda Dawson, former UC Santa Barbara player and Bishop Diego High School coach; Leslie Ford-Grieve, former player at Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara City College and UCSB; Herb Livsey, former Denver Nuggets scout and founder of Snow Valley Basketball Camps held at Westmont; and Joe Vaughan, Westmont alumnus who coached women’s state championships at Buena High School.

“We want to recognize the local people who have contributed far beyond the basketball floor,” says Curt Pickering, Court of Champions founder. “It’s a fraternity, a family of friends who are very worthy to be acknowledged. I am looking forward to also recognizing the amazing community leaders and heroes of Santa Barbara, including our first responders, media, and leaders of our youth organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Girls Inc., YMCA, and Police Activities League.”

Canned goods, unwrapped new toys, or dollars for donation are suggested for admission to the event. “We want this to be an event to celebrate giving,” he says. “’Tis the spirit here in Santa Barbara, the community we all love.”

For more information, please visit sbcourtofchampions.com or call (805) 969-7542.