A deputy hopes to network south Alabama law enforcement and raise money for a good cause, all through a charity basketball game exclusively for law enforcement.

The three-on-three basketball tournament is set for April 28 at Straughn High School and will benefit Meredith’s Miracles.

Jeff Daniel, a deputy with the Covington County Sheriff’s Office, said that he got the idea from past tournaments.

“They’ve been having one in Florala for a while now. I’ve played in it before and I really enjoyed it and thought it was good idea,” Daniel said.

“I wanted to do something to raise up money for a charity just to benefit them. Another big part of this was introducing officers and deputies from other counties so that they can become familiar with each other.”

It’s always good to network within law enforcement in case backup is needed, Daniel said.

“We’ve got some officers from Crenshaw County possibly coming as well as some of the local police departments,” he said.

The basketball game is exclusively for law enforcement because it could be too overwhelming, Daniel said.

“This is my first time organizing this kind of thing. Next year I will plan ahead.”

Daniel’s goal is to have 10 teams participate in the event, so far, there are around eight signed up.

“There’s been a great response for it so far, we’ve had so many sponsors come out,” he said.

“We’ve had gift certificates donated from Fletcher’s, Golden Rule, Farmer’s Co-Op and Tractor Supply for the teams that win first and second place. There’s also a plaque being made for the basketball team that wins first.”

Daniel hopes to switch up the charity the tournament beneficiary every year.

“This year, we started with Meredith’s Miracles mainly because I knew it would be some good money for them and because Rick Cartwright, the father of Gordy Cartwright, has been a big help to this event.”

There will also be hamburgers and hotdog combos selling for $5 during the game, a bake sale and the Andalusia Fire Department is bringing their ladder truck to show children.

The entry fee for the tournament is $60, per a law enforcement team of three.

For more information, contact Jeff Daniel at 334-343-0275.