MidValleySports.Com

By Alex A. Gonzalez

Monrovia — The annual Battle of the Badges basketball took place Saturday night at Monrovia High School between Monrovia’s finest. The yearly basketball event between Monrovia Fire Department and Police Department is played to raise awareness of cancer. 

Monrovia Fire Dept., also known as Team Heat, dominated their counterpart, Enforcers of Monrovia Police Dept., from behind the 3-point line as they drained 7 of their 16 3-point attempts in their 50-28 win. 

Monrovia Fire jumped out blazing hot as they took a 12-5 lead after the first 10 minutes of play thanks to Firefighter Joseph Nevarez, who scored six points in the first quarter. He was aided by Firefighter Christian Wilbraham and Engineer Max Parker, who controlled the glass with eight rebounds combined.

The two also patrolled the defense as they forced four turnovers against the Enforcers, limiting Sergeant Mike Garcia and crew to get anything going offensively. 

MPD did, however, come within eight points in the second quarter when Officer John Paul and Cadet Brian Dixon each made their 3-point attempts. Still, it was not enough as Nevarez and Fire Fighter Josh Lin lit it up from behind the arch, extending their lead back to 11 midway through the second quarter. 

Team Heat took a 28-14 lead into intermission and didn’t look back as they never trailed or let their lead come within single digits.  Nevarez made 5 of his 9 attempts in the first half for 14 points, and Firefighter and Paramedic Ryan Scott pitched in five points and grabbed three rebounds.

After the halftime festivities, MPD did find a way to break through the Heat’s front line and get shots up, but unfortunately, none of them could fall, and any chance at getting the rebound was extinguished thanks to Wilbraham and Scott, who outrebounded the Enforcers as a team 9 to 7. 

The game got away from MPD as they couldn’t find a way to slow down Nevarez, who took over the final 10 minutes of play when he was perfect from behind the arch and added 6 more points from the field. He ended the game 9-17 from the field, scoring 25 points, helping the team make it back-to-back wins over the Enforcers. 

Battle of the Badges basketball game between Monrovia’s Fire and Police Department is an annual event that helps raise money for cancer awareness, which is donated to fund research.