Police, firefighters face off on basketball court

Newport Beach police and firefighters will finally see who is best when they compete in their third competition benefiting cancer research later this week.

They’ll exchange their cuffs, helmets and uniforms for shorts and jerseys Friday in a charity basketball game at Newport Coast Community Center. It’s the third time the two departments have squared off, and both are looking to get the ultimate bragging rights.

Firefighters won the 5k relay race in Corona del Mar and the police department took two out of three in flag football in August. This will be the first time firefighters and police have faced each other on the court.

The game will be at 6 p.m. Friday in the community center, 6401 San Joaquin Hills Road. Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.

— Joseph Serna