Following change of venue, lawyers seek different result

~ The basketball game on Saturday will be played at Central High School.

The verdict in this case will be decided on the basketball court.

The lawyers will attempt to put an end to the doctors' dominance when the two groups clash Saturday in the 13th annual Doctors vs. Lawyers Basketball Showdown at Central High School.

In the first 12 years, the doctors have claimed 10 victories, including the last four.

A change of scenery probably won't hurt the men in suits this time around. After playing the last several contests at Notre Dame Regional High School, a scheduling conflict with the school has moved the game to Central.

Another change in this year's event is a first-time postgame party at Gatherings Cafe in the Marquette Tower on Broadway in Cape Girardeau. The after-party, which will replace the usual pre-game tailgate ritual, will include food, beverages and a silent auction.

"We've always had a tailgate party," event director Larry Essner said, "but it didn't allow the players too much time to be part of it. The players didn't want to come out and eat or drink something right before their game. And they're the ones who put on the show.

"We decided to do a postgame party instead, which allows them and their families to come in afterward to visit and have a good time."

The game, which generally attracts around 200 fans, is scheduled for 5 p.m. -- with doors opening an hour prior -- and the party will be from 7 to 9 p.m.

The contest will consist of two 20-minute halves and will feature a halftime performance by the students at the Academy of Dance Arts.

The 15-man team of doctors will have more depth than the 10-man lawyers squad. Essner, nonetheless, thinks it will be different than the games in years past.

"The doctors have five or six new players this year, but they've lost a couple," Essner said, "and the attorneys have three new ones. The doctors have more players and get more rest, but this year it's pretty well even. I think it's going to be pretty close."

The teams have been practicing since early January, and Essner has dropped in on a few of the teams' weekly practices.

"They usually practice for two hours, and they've been doing this since right after Christmas," Essner said. "They've both got some good shooters."

Some of the athletes have been participating for several years on the volunteer-based squads. The majority are from the Cape area, but the attorneys will feature a newcomer from Ste. Genevieve this year.

Essner said while it's definitely a heated rivalry that the players take seriously, they all seem to get along just fine on the court.

"They're all friends," Essner said. "They're just out practicing and getting some exercise, and they all get along.

"The two sometimes have to go at it in the real court, and this gives them a chance to take it to the basketball court instead."