Doctors take Lawyers to court, win on end-of-game free throw

A last-second free throw by Todd Lumsden, his 12th straight one-pointer of the night, propelled the Doctors to a one-point, 65-64 victory over the Lawyers in the ninth annual Doctor/ Lawyer Basketball Showdown held at the Notre Dame Regional High School Field House Friday.

Attorneys, led by the 17-point barrage from Chance Hunter, held leads throughout the contest, but a late-game three-pointer by Dr. Terry Spence, his fifth three-pointer of the game, deadlocked the score at 65-65.

Lumsden was fouled at the buzzer, sending him to the line for what proved to be the game-winning score. Lumsden, who finished as the game's highest scorer with 23 points, hit 12 straight free throws after missing his first try from the line.

Spence, who scored five three-pointers, was named Most Valuable Player for the Doctors, and Hunter led balloting for MVP for the Lawyer team.

John Lake provided the Doctors with 15 points. Lawyers John Harding scored 12 and Bryan Greaser 11.

The win was the seventh in the past nine years for the Doctors.

Big winner

But the big winner was the Community Counseling Center, which receives the proceeds of the game to purchase materials and equipment to provide and enhance mental health services in Cape Girardeau, Perry, Ste. Genevieve, Bollinger and Madison counties.

"We had a good crowd," said Larry Essner, director of development at Community Counseling, a private, not-for-profit comprehensive mental health care center.

The game, which included a tailgate party and silent auction held at Drury Lodge, raised $12,000 for the center, including the sponsor fees, said Essner. Co-chairing the annual event were Scott Lipke and Alecia Robert.

"We're already looking to the 10th annual game," said Essner.