Basketball season is in, and it’s coming to the YMCA this weekend; however, it won’t be between the usual teams.

YMCA Port Arthur will host its first annual Community Classic at 3 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the Memorial High School Boys Gymnasium in Port Arthur. Community Classic is a community-oriented basketball game set between first responders and educators.

Tickets are $5 for adults; $3 for students; and free admission for children five and under. In addition to providing funding for the Y, part of the proceeds will also be shared with the Port Arthur Independent School District.

“It’s basically trying to build our community and to strengthen our relationship with first responders and the community with a fun game of basketball,” Glenda Trainer, sports director for the YMCA Port Arthur, said.

According to Trainer, the basketball event allows locals to interact with their public servants in a new way.

“It’s an opportunity to try to see our first responders and our educators in a fun way without their uniforms — that they’re basically as normal as we are,” Trainer said.

“We’re bringing a game of basketball with our leaders.”

It will be the Community Classic’s inaugural year.

“It’s our first year to attempt to do it,” Trainer said. “Our CEO Bud Oliver suggested it to me and we ran with it.”

Trainer highlighted their partnership with PAISD.

“We got together with PAISD and Dr. Mark Porterie, and so the YMCA will partner with them.

“Our first responders will play against our educators.”

Trainer expressed excitement about the coming game and also the opportunity to indulge in some local humor.

“We look forward to presenting this type of event. I think it’s going to be something to see,” Trainer said. “And I think the kids will get a chance to laugh a little bit at their educators on the court out there.”

The first responders team will be coached by Jefferson County Constables Chris Bates and Eddie Collins of Precincts 2 and 8 respectively, as well as Deputy Constable Tharin Keys of Precinct 8.

The educators team will be coached by the former Lincoln coach who led his team to four state championships, James Gamble.

In addition, Trainer mentioned another Port Arthur local who is helping make the Community Classic a reality.

“Amber Kinlaw has really stepped forward to get a lot of educators to participate in this event.”

Trainer said that the reaction from both the first responders and educators has been positive.

“We have a great response from them,” Trainer said. “Some of them can’t work, but they will show their face. With the election over, maybe some law enforcement will come in and support their side.”

“I just hope that everyone will come out on Saturday and support us,” Trainer said.

“We’d love to have the community come out and watch our first responders play our educators.”

The Community Classic will have a special halftime show with performances from both the Honeybees and Daniel Thomas, otherwise known as elementary school rapper Lil’ D.

The community-oriented basketball game seemed to be a popular prospect with some of its participants.

“Well, I’ve been knowing Ms. G (Glenda) for a while now and she called me and she told me that she wanted to put on this fundraiser between educators and the first responders for the YMCA,” Constable Bates said.

“And I’m all about fundraising for a good cause. It helps a lot of people throughout this community.”

Bates expressed optimism about his coming role in the game.

“Let’s put on a good show and, hopefully, we can get the people (to come) out…

“We’re not that old that we can’t run up and down the court at least once.”

For Bates, the community event was also something that held special import to him.

“We just want people to see public service — we’re all public service. We want the community to see us pitch in and come together for a cause,” Bates said.

“This is what I call community policing, where we can become engaged with the community.

“This will hopefully get people to see public service in a different light.”

The fundraising aspect of the Classic also seemed to be a draw for the Precinct 2 Constable.

“By the end of the day, we’re all excited to come together to help out the YMCA.”