Southaven’s police officers and firefighters are set to meet in a charity basketball game at Landers Center next month. The Southaven Police Department and Southaven Fire Department will play Battle of the Badges at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11.
According to Southaven Police Department, the matchup is billed as police versus fire, playing “like the pros” for a crowd at the arena. As DeSoto County News reports, a portion of ticket-sale proceeds will benefit the police department’s Shop with a Cop program, which the department runs each year.
What Battle of the Badges Tickets Include
Battle of the Badges tickets cover more than just the afternoon police-versus-fire game.
Battle of the Badges tickets also include admission to a 7 p.m. game between the Memphis Hustle and the Osceola Magic the same evening, the DeSoto County News report notes.
One Game, Two Reported Beneficiaries
Ticket proceeds will benefit the police department’s Shop with a Cop program, a Christmas activity. A separate DeSoto County News report, however, describes a different arrangement tied to the fire department, saying a portion of every ticket purchased in support of the Southaven Fire Department will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. That report also states that one ticket provides admission to both the Battle of the Badges and a Memphis Hustle game.
Either way, Southaven residents looking for a family outing with a side of local rivalry won’t have to choose between watching their hometown first responders compete and catching a professional basketball game. Landers Center will host both under one roof next month, with the court shared by officers, firefighters, and the G League come game day.
