Suffolk’s finest took on a group of Forest Glen Middle School’s best players for a fundraising basketball game Friday.

Eight Suffolk police officers took on 10 Forest Glen basketball players for the event that was coordinated by the Wildcat Watchers, Forest Glen’s division of the city’s Crime Stoppers program.

The whole school crammed into the gym to watch the action. To attend, students were asked to make a $1 donation.

But to ensure everyone could come, Wildcat Watchers sponsor and Forest Glen English teacher Charlene Dunne took it upon herself to donate the dollar for every student who could not afford to make the donation themselves.

“I wanted everyone to be able to attend,” she said.

A portion of the funds raised went into a donation to the Crime Line, while the other part will go to an end of year party for the Wildcat Watchers.

“I wanted the kids to realize that fundraising isn’t just for them to have a party,” Dunne said.

Although the police officers held a considerable size advantage, the middle schoolers held their ground for most of the first half, keeping the score close.

But the officers pulled away in the fourth quarter and made a gap that Forest Glen could not fill. The final score — Officers 40, Forest Glen 31.

The Wildcat Watchers aim to be the eyes and ears of the police in their school and neighborhoods and report any murmuring of crime to an adult.

But another aspect of the Crime Stoppers is to build a relationship with police officers and try to instill a positive perspective of the police in their communities.

The basketball game was part of that initiative.

“We want to have a good time with the police,” Dunne said. “This is trying to instill a positive influence.”

During halftime, the players, along with Dunne, presented a $100 check to Cathy Richards, the president of the Suffolk Crime Line.

Richards said she thought the game was a wonderful idea for the police to get involved in the community.

“They can’t solve crimes on their own,” she said. “They need the community.”

Sgt. A.D. Sparks, one of the officers who played in the game, said the officers were looking forward to the game.

“It was for a worthy cause,” he said. “Hopefully, they can continue with these efforts.”

He added he hopes other schools will coordinate similar events.

Dunne said she wants to be able to have a game every year and hopes even more officers will participate in the future.