Members of the Newtown Youth Basketball Association's seventh/eighth grade boys' squad, the UConn Huskies, coming off a division championship the week before, went out on the basketball court one last time together, for a good cause.

The Huskies represented the town in the annual First Selectman's Game, a contest between the seventh/eighth grade boys' division champions from Newtown and Monroe, which takes place annually as a fundraising event for the Newtown FAITH Food Pantry and Monroe Food Pantry. The scrimmage, which alternates between Newtown and Monroe each winter, took place at Jockey Hollow School, on March 18.

Monroe's championship squad came out on top, 45-30, but this was truly a win-win situation for both lineups as they got to play a friendly game and do something above and beyond score baskets: Help out those less fortunate.

Masuk High junior and former Monroe youth basketball player Emerson Carlson organized an annual all-star game among Monroe youth players to raise money for the Monroe Food Pantry three seasons ago, and the event evolved when Newtown became involved.

Parents and other supporters donate $1 and bring a canned good to the scrimmage. Since the original all-star clash three winters ago, more than $1,000 and 300 food items have been collected for the Monroe Food Pantry and Newtown FAITH Food Pantry, Carlson said.

"It was a fun way to end the season for the boys, playing their neighboring town for a good cause," Newtown coach Rich Giacin said.