Nobody needs to wonder if there will be a doctor in the house come March 5 at Pinecrest High School.

There's going to be plenty of white coats filling the floor of the school's James Moore Gymnasium for the fourth annual Hoops for Kids basketball game to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills.

In an added twist, and we're not talking high-ankle sprains here, the annual game has undergone a little tweaking. The first three games featured a team of doctors taking on a team representing FirstHealth. The doctors won twice, while FirstHealth took one of the contests.

Perhaps in an effort to keep from schooling each other, the two have combined forces this year to take on a team that really knows a little bit about schooling. Joining the fray and offering the competition to The White Coats (guess which team that is?), is a team provided by personnel from the Moore County Schools.

The Round Ball "Brainiacs" have taken on the challenge of playing the now-combined "White Coats" team, while the organizers of the event have taken on the challenge of raising $10,000 for the local Boys and Girls Club. Last year, the game raised more than $7,000. Someone on the committee came up with the idea that since it was good to have a goal when it came to the game that $10,000 would fit in nicely with the benefit's theme.

OK, it was Mike Martin, who will be providing entertaining commentary as the game's PA announcer, who said, "Hey, the goals are 10 feet off the floor, so why not multiply that by 1,000 and then we have another goal -- raising $10,000."

Well, I'm not really sure it was Martin who said that, but it sounds good, and anyone willing to pony up $5 will get an opportunity to not only help out the local club, but also get a chance to see some rip-roaring, rim-rattling, backboard-shattering action on the court.

OK, I exaggerate a bit, but at least the game is billed as a "full-fledged" contest. There will be "official" officials bent on calling a tight contest, in a game that will be played using high school regulation rules.

For four eight-minute quarters, with a halftime to give the teams time to indulge in getting oxygen (again, it's good there will be plenty of medical personnel on hand), the Brainiacs and the White Coats are going after each other in a battle for supremacy and the answer to that age-old question: Who's the bus driver?

Here's another question, especially for those who have had to labor under the intensive glare of either a teacher or coach: Wouldn't it be fun to see the shoe on the other foot?

Then the game is a perfect opportunity to see school personnel, especially people like Burgin Beale, Chris Metzger, Nat Carter, Larry Shields, Leslie Fish and Rodney Stewart get on the hardwood to perform in front of, hopefully, a gym packed full of former and current players and students. Remember, though, it might be nice to cut the Brainiacs a break -- it's their first time playing in a such a pressure-packed contest.

Having had three years to build their fan base, the White Coats are guaranteed to bring a crowd. Veterans of the game such as Dr. Ray Washington, Dr. Andy Kiser, Dr. Carl Berk and Cindy Laton, health education coordinator for FirstHealth Community Health Services, are sure to hit the court confident and aware of their abilities. They've been there, done that.

With the addition of the school system into the benefit, it shouldn't be hard to reach the goal of generating $10,000 in ticket sales.

Tickets are available at the Pinehurst Surgical Clinic, the Pinehurst Medical Clinic, the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills and at The Pilot.

Tickets will also be sold at the gate for $7, so save $2 and get your ducat ahead of time. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the two spirited clubs take the floor for tip-off at 6:30 p.m.

Hunter Chase can be reached at hchase@thepilot.com