School board members, principals and teachers from Manhasset and St. Mary's schools will vie with students for the first CASA Games title in what promises to be spirited competition on May 18 in the Manhasset High School gym. In addition, two elementary school principals will lead a faculty cheering squad, while the middle school principal will referee the game.

"Town educators have stepped forward in an outpouring of support for CASA's substance abuse prevention initiatives. The result will treat Manhasset residents to a basketball game, the like of which they have not seen before," said CASA Games Chair Lisa Belinsky. "Whether cheering for teachers and friends in the student/faculty game or competing in the "Just Say Hoops" tournament, everyone will find something to enjoy at the CASA Games."

The student team will be selected by lottery from among seniors at MHS and St. Mary's. An equal number of boys and girls will be randomly selected from each school and the team will be announced with enough time to schedule a practice or two. These practices may be essential in light of the steely determination evinced by the Faculty Squad.

"I'll play if the audience promises to laugh," said Principal William Stark of Manhasset High School, who, as a member of CASA's Board of Directors, was one of the first tapped for the squad.

Joining the formidable faculty line-up, from Shelter Rock are: Karen Ferby-Guy (fourth grade), Michael O'Brien (fifth grade), Kim Schneider (fourth grade), Allyson Weiss-Begley (kindergarten). Players from Munsey Park are: Elizabeth Hall (music), Kim Holt (first grade), and Caryn Himsworth (science). St. Mary's K-8 has enlisted Liz Bice (seventh grade), Guilly Garcia (8th grade, Karen Nerko (third grade), Megan Sharkey (physical education), Janine Stacchini (guidance) and Ellen Stoll (resource).

Team members from Manhasset Middle School are Sean Adcroft (librarian), Tom Jones (physical education), Roy Keuling (math) and Tom Schoenig (special education). In addition to Principal Bill Stark, MHS is fielding Mike Faraci (math), Mike Ruiz (Spanish and middle school Italian), and social worker Kenya Vanterpool. Former MHS teacher John Brennan is also returning to join the team. Players from St. Mary's High School are: Brother Alphonse (science), Mary Cornell (physical education), Father Kevin, George Lamb (political science), Jack McArdle (physical education), Paul Nussbaum (physical education), Father Peter, Diane Quinn (physical education) and Ed Tracy (math).

Manhasset Board of Education members Barbara Donno, Thomas Killeen, Deborah Klein and Thomas Maimone will also play for the Faculty Squad, as will St. Mary's Board members Bobby Anastasia, Joe Mahon, Debbie Meyer, Dan Nolan and Bobby O'Connell. Vincent Calluzzo of the Manhasset board will cheer from afar while at a college commencement.

Shelter Rock principal Robyn Mandor and Munsey Park principal Jean Kendall will lead a faculty cheering squad, while Middle School principal Tom Gilroy and Mike Leeolou of PAL will referee.

Faculty enthusiasm for the CASA Games was spearheaded by Manhasset Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lawrence Bozzomo. In a spring letter to all faculty and staff he wrote: "It would be a wonderful message to send our students that our entire staff believes in the importance of alcohol and drug abuse prevention. You are role models they all respect."

The CASA games will benefit the Manhasset Community Coalition Against Substance Abuse (CASA), a new non-profit partnership formed to help parents, schools and the community combat underage drinking and substance abuse. As a first step, CASA will hire a Community Coordinator for Substance Abuse Prevention to develop educational and community outreach programs. As part of a town-wide prevention plan tailored to Manhasset, these programs will target parents, educators, students, as well as businesses, churches and civic organizations with the goal of reducing substance abuse among the young people of Manhasset.

Volunteers willing to help the night of the CASA Games should call Grace Giesecke, 365-9079. To donate a raffle prize, call June Sutter, 627-4345, or to contribute baked goods, call Tracy Quackenbush, 365-4157 or Jackie Iervolino 365-9819.

The 8 p.m. student/faculty basketball game will be preceded at 6 p.m. by "Just Say Hoops!" - a tournament of fast-paced, three-on-three play featuring dozens of teams in grades four through 12. The CASA Games will provide an evening of alcohol-free fun with entertainment, raffles, free T-shirts for players, and trophies. Food and refreshments will be available.

General admission is $5 for adults, and $3 for ages five to 19. Children under 5 are free when accompanied by an adult. Participants in "Just Say Hoops" pay an additional $10 each and receive a free T-shirt. The deadline for "Just Say Hoops!" registration is Friday, May 11; walk-ons will not be allowed. (Students with sports commitments later in the evening should note on their "Just Say Hoops!" registration forms that they require an early time-slot. Every effort will be made to get them out in time for their game.)

Admission tickets and "Just Say Hoops!' registration forms are available at these Manhasset businesses: Nancy H. Morris Insurance Agency, 22 Bayview Avenue; TBCY/Blimpie, 444 Plandome Road and Phil's Manhasset Sports Shop, 111 Plandome Road.