There's a lot of trash talkin' going on at Charles Henderson High School and Middle School this week, but for once it isn't coming from the students. On Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the CHHS gym, CHHS Coach Carl Hollis and CHMS Coach James Johnson will take the fight for cancer to the courts.

For the first time, and hopefully not the last, Troy City Schools is promoting a little friendly competition between CHHS and CHMS by way of a faculty basketball game.

CHMS librarian Carla Rice helped organize the Relay for Life charity game, but she gives credit for the idea to CHMS Principal David Helms.

"This is going to be something fun, different and exciting," said Rice.

The schools have never raised money together before, although in years past they have combined the proceeds from their individual fund raising efforts. Thursday will be their first joint effort.

Troy Elementary will man the concession stand, CHMS will work the gate and CHHS, as well as faculty from the other schools, will play in the game and some of the teachers will be cheerleaders.

The game will have officials and a public address announcer.

Helms said the event is a good way for teachers and administration from the different schools to mingle with one another.

"It's a good opportunity for all city school employees to get together," he said. "We seldom get to rub elbows with the other people in the other schools."

The game is also a good opportunity for the community and families to have fun and support Relay for Life. And, with Hollis standing at 6-5 and Johnson at 6-4, it promises to be an even match-up.

Despite an injured shoulder, Johnson said he and his team are ready to take on Hollis and he has made some pretty threatening remarks to the CHHS team leader. But Johnson isn't the only one talking up his team; Hollis has done his fair share of taunting.

"The high school is going to demolish the middle school," he said. "We will show them no mercy. Nobody comes to the hill at Charles Henderson and wins."

The key to this game will be defense.

It's rumored Hollis has some pretty quick guys on his team and Johnson still has some game left from his college days.

"We've got to keep Johnson away from the basket," Hollis said.

The students are just as enthusiastic as the coaches.

"They're pretty excited about it," Johnson said of the middle school students. "They all want to come out and see who's gonna win."

No matter the outcome, this face-off promises to be fun for the whole family. Gates will open Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and admission is $3 for adults and $2 for students. The concession stand will sell hotdogs, hamburgers, drinks, chips and candy.