HPD, HFD to play wheelchair basketball

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss will host a wheelchair basketball clinic and exhibition game Saturday.

The Golden Eagle wheelchair basketball team will be there along with teams from New Orleans and Alabama.

But those are not the only people who will be there.

The Hattiesburg Police Department and the Hattiesburg Fire Department will be there playing as well. Last year, both departments did not do so well, and they are hoping for a good time and a better result this year.

Lt. LaTosha Myers-Mitchell, Hattiesburg Police Department's Public Information Officer said, "For us to be able to participate in this event, we count it as a privilege and a pleasure to get out and give back to that community. Part of that community sometimes might be overlooked. And to do it with a little friendly competition, we're going to have fun, and we're excited to do so."

"It gives us an idea of the type of problems and things people with disabilities have to mitigate through in life. This is just a game to us. But to them, it's something that they have to deal with every day. So it just gives us a small taste of the things they have to go through in every day life,” said Hattiesburg Fire engineer, Brian Duncan.

"Between their agency and our agency, we're always kind of competing against each other and messing around with each other. So, it's always a good time. And I'm expecting that they're going to be bringing their best and their A-game. And for us as well. We're going to be bringing our A-game. That's for sure," said Hattiesburg Police Officer, Alexander Kitch.

The clinic will be from 8-5 p.m. Saturday at USM’s Payne Center.