JUDGE CHALLENGES POT-SMOKING BASKETBALL PLAYER TO GAME

SANTA ANA, Calif. - The 20-year-old former high school basketball
star told the judge he smoked pot because it made him a better player.
So the 42-year-old jurist challenged him to a game of one-on-one on a
different court.

``I thought maybe he was kidding,'' said defendant Alvaro Alvarez, who
accepted the challenge after he was charged with marijuana possession.

Superior Court Judge Marc Kelly sentenced Alvarez to attend drug abuse
classes for the misdemeanor, then told him to return to court ready
for a game.

On Tuesday, Alvarez proved he attended class. Then the judge stripped
off his judicial robe and laced up his sneakers.

``You better not let him beat you,'' Alvarez's friends
said.

Alvarez, who said he's been smoking pot since he was 10, added he
wouldn't need the relaxing qualities he said marijuana provides to
take on a player more than twice his age. After all, he was the
defensive player of the year as a sophomore at Santa Ana Valley High
School.

As he faced off against the judge outside the Orange County
courthouse, Judge Steven L. Perk stepped up to referee and half dozen
court employees made up the cheering section.

Although both players stood about 5-foot-10 and appeared physically
fit, it was no contest.

In a game to see who could score the first 10 baskets, the judge
slam-dunked the former high school star 10-3.

``Defensive player of the year, Alvarez? Come on,'' Kelly trash-talked
at one point, then drove for two consecutive lay-ups. ``The
marijuana's getting to you, Alvarez. You're exhausted, aren't you?''

After the game, the two embraced.

``You surprise me,'' a winded Alvarez told the judge. ``You are
quicker than most of the guys I play with.''

Perhaps that's because Kelly had played some ball himself, on a Notre
Dame team that included future NBA players Orlando Woolridge and Bill
Laimbeer.

``Lay off the marijuana,'' he admonished Alvarez.

``I might have to, because it's getting me tired,'' Alvarez
replied.