Disorder on the court

Legislative charity basketball game nets $30,000 for children

It was a disgrace to the sport of basketball.

That’s how the announcer introduced it.

The Arkansas Senate beat the state House of Representatives 41-26 Tuesday during Hoops for Kids’ Sake, the fifth annual legislative charity basketball game. The bipartisan exhibition match played at Jack Stephens Center on the University of Arkansas at Little Rock campus raised nearly $30,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas, Boys & Girls Club of Bryant and Boys & Girls Club of Saline County.

The game has raised more than $110,000 since its inception in 2013. It was Senate’s second win in the series. Proceeds came from ticket sales and sponsorships.

The stands were sparse, but the benches were full as legislators showed their support, if not their athletic ability. Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin both played for the Senate. Hutchinson plays a weekly pickup game of basketball with staff and friends, and the routine training showed in his game. With Griffin — not so much. State Sens. Jeremy Hutchinson and Will Bond and state Rep. Charles Blake showed some real hustle.

Prior to the showdown, legislative players and onlookers gathered in the Legends Room for beverages and snacks. Never to be outdone, state Sen. Jonathan Dismang, president pro tempore of the Arkansas Senate, and former Razorbacks basketball standout Blake Eddins, sported matching “Make the House Lose Again” track jackets.

“As defending champs for the first time ever, we have an additional incentive as we fight to keep the trophy on the south side of the Capitol for another year,” Dismang said ahead of the game.

Tom and state Rep. Charlene Fite of Van Buren, state Rep. Fran Cavenaugh of Walnut Ridge, state Rep. Jon Eubanks of Paris and state Rep. David Branscum of Marshall, coach for the House team

Cathy Foraker of Fayetteville, Ronnie Dedman, Rhonda Cline of Jonesboro, Ann Cornwell and Ricky Cross

Arkansas Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin attempts a fast break for the state Senate.

Kelly Robbins, Marc Harrison, state Rep. Mark Lowery and Doug Wasson

State Sen. Jonathan Dismang of Beebe, president pro tempore of the Arkansas Senate, and former Razorbacks basketball player Blake Eddins with matching “Make the House Lose Again” track jackets

Gov. Asa Hutchinson with Chrissy Chatham, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas, and board member Antwan Phillips

State Rep. Charles Blake and Gov. Asa Hutchinson square off below the net.

Jeff Hoggard and state Rep. Les Eaves of Searcy