Mehlville Fire and Police Shoot Hoops For Tornado Victims

Mehlville firefighters, local police, teachers and local celebrities hit the basketball court Tuesday night at Lindbergh High School to raise money for their neighbors recovering from the fierce tornado that struck Sunset Hills on New Year’s Eve. Organizer Bill Eydman said the fundraiser sprang from a chat with Kevin O’Leary, owner of O’Leary’s Restaurant. He hoped to capitalize on college basketball’s March Madness.

Eydman estimated $1,000 was raised Tuesday night for the 14 families assisted by the Sunset Hills Tornado Assistance Fund. He said other donations made it all possible. 

“Those are the people who responded first to the tornado,” Eydman said. “It’s the whole idea behind the shooting match."

In the first of two matches, Mehlville firefighters attempted to douse the hot-shooting police officers. The cops were on patrol, though, and firefighters officially went down in flames 51-23. However, with a little help from former KMOX announcer Jim Holder over the speaker system, the firefighters learned they had an amazing run, scoring 29 points in merely four seconds for an unbelievable come from behind victory.

Mehlville firefighter Jake “Big Jake” Lickteig said afterward that he hoped the game wouldn’t be reported in the obituaries because of the killing his team endured. He added it was nice to see the police officers in a basketball jersey instead of a police uniform.

“It’s nice to see these guys outside of responding to a call,” Lickteig said. “I told them we should do this more often.”

While the firefighters may not have pulled away with an official victory, they certainly won the Trash Talk Award for the evening. The team decorated their bench with posters razzing the opponents. Amid one-liners talking donut shops, the signs said, “If firefighting were easy, cops could do it!”

The excitement was contagious in the gym with Fredbird ruffling feathers, the Blues Towel Man lofting shots through the bleachers, and even Wil “The Thrill” Stelzer showcasing Globetrotter-esque skills to the throng of fans.

Those sports fans who missed the games, but still want to lend a hand to their neighbors need only to contact Enterprise Bank or Sunset Hills City Hall to donate to the Tornado Assistance Fund. Sunset Hills Alderman Scott Haggerty and said overall fundraising efforts for the tornado survivors has topped $226,000.