The competition will be fast and furious on the court Friday night in support of the American Heart Association and in an effort to defeat heart disease and stroke.

Roundball action will get under way at 6:30 p.m. at the Charles Henderson High School gymnasium when the women take the court to battle each other in hopes of winning a victory over the number one killer of Americans today.

After the ladies' game the members of the Troy Police Department will square off against the Dixie Dribblers in hopes of bringing in additional dollars in the fight against heart disease.

The basketball game to benefit the Pike County Chapter of the American Heart Association has been held in Brundidge in previous years and pitted the Brundidge Police Department against the Pike County Sheriff's Department.

This year those two law enforcement agencies are &uot;laying low&uot; said Annette Toney, publicity chairperson for &uot;the games.&uot;

&uot;The Troy Police Department should attract a lot of interest,&uot; Toney said. &uot;And the Dixie Dribblers should be up to the challenge. The team captain is Jamie Vance and he said his team is ready to out-gun the TPD.&uot;

In the past, the women's teams have been the scrappier of the two and are a hard act to follow. This year, the TPD and the Dribblers promise a lot of action in the late game.

But, no matter which team outscores the other, the victory will go to the fight against heart disease.

&uot;Last year, more than $1,200 was raised for the Pike County Chapter of the American Heart Association and this year we hope to top that,&uot; Toney said. &uot;We encourage everyone to come out and support their favorite team and this worthwhile cause.&uot;

Toney said concessions will be available and proceeds will also go to the American Heart Association.

Admission is $2 but donations above that will be greatly appreciated.

Look for these ladies on the court: Pike County Lady Blazers- Atica Helms, captain and Mary Alice Leverette, Sabrena Wingard, Debra Pinchon, Sarah Toney, Shirley Tuck, Darlene Hill, Lana Johnson, Barbara Shipman, Athenia Smith, Olympia McGill, Melissa White, Felcia Thomas, Shirley Hooten, Annette Toney, Darnesha Jones, Rosalyn Haskin and Kunshinge Howard.

Pike County Lady All-Starzzs -Crystal Fendley, Teresa Pryon, Pam Nix, Brandy Long, Delilah Baker, Mary B. Johnson, Tasha Howard, Wanda Moultry, Eula Croskey, Carla Starks, Terra Townsy,

Arlesha Lane, Yolanda Foreman and Tiffany Siler.

The Troy Police Department's team

members are Willie Collins, Chuck Railey, Greg Wright, Michael O'Hara, Donny Barron, Toney Bennett, Darius Carlisle, Sanford Wingard, Eric Ernsberger, Mark Jones, Danny Barron and Kenneth Adams.

The Dixie Dribblers are Jamie Vance, Duke Murphy, Michael Campbell, David Garringer, Chad Hagler, Ricky Burden, Wayne Thrash and Dewayne McGhee.