With every new trick and antic, laughter poured out of the Encana Events Centre on Sunday as the Harlem Globetrotters brought their act to town, dazzling the hundreds of fans that filled the stands.
“That’s really what it’s all bout,” said Jet a two-year sophomore guard of the Harlem Globetrotters who is still learning the ropes of being part of the ‘Trotter tradition and enjoying the opportunities he’s had as a member of the team that travels the world over impressing millions with their b-ball talents.
“It brings me great joy to bring joy to other people.”
And Dawson Creek hoops fans didn’t leave disappointed as they got to see the Globetrotters at their best, while playing by rules chosen by the fans themselves and taking the game of basketball to a whole new level.
As part of the “You Write the Rules” World Tour the Globetrotters are leaving it up to the fans to decide how the game should be played, allowing fans to vote on various rules such as the 4-point shot, double points, two balls at one time and 6-on-5. Bringing an innovative look to the game that keeps fans on the edge of their seats, and players on their toes.
“One thing that the Harlem Globtrotters do is try to be as innovative as possible. We are the catalysts of innovation and we’re always trying to find new ways to get better and that will never stop. We hope to entertain and put on a good show whenever we play,” explained Jet.
Early on, however, it was the Global Selects – the Globetrotters’ touring counterparts – that took advantage of a first quarter 4-point shot, outmatching the ‘Trotters from long range and taking an early lead that they carried into the second half.
But in true Globetrotter fashion the ball-handling, figure-8 passing, alley-oop dunks and on-court shenanigans of the “innovators of basketball” left the Selects dizzy, and sometimes without their uniforms. All told, the fans got what they came to see – a Globetrotter win. The final score was 113-111 in favour of the good guys who brought a roster full of some of the best Globetrotters around.
Showman Special K played to the crowd setting up dunks for high-flyers Jet and Spider, while also giving the referees a hard time and playing pranks on courtside fans. Rookie guard T-Time showed off her talents, dribbling circles around the Selects; the shortest Globetrotter in history Too-Tall displayed his handle for the ball and his love for dancing; and Tiny, the tallest Globetrotter ever at 7’8”, rocked the rim with his no-jump dunk.
For players like Tiny, T-Time and Jet being a Globetrotter is a once in a lifetime experience.
“To be able to travel around the world and experience things I would never be able to experience in any other situation is very rare for me,” said Jet. “It’s a great opportunity for me and I feel blessed to be in this situation.”
He recalled a recent opportunity to play in front of U.S. military troops in Afghanistan.
“Just to bring a smile on their face and let them know that we are thinking about them, it’s a great feeling for us,” said Jet who played college basketball at University of North Carolina-Asheville.
He said that while on tour the Globetrotters played on an aircraft carrier that was converted into a full-length basketball court, something he’d never forget.
“It was a fun game and they showed us a lot of love.”
Jet said he was just like many of the young fans in the Encana Events Centre crowd when he decided he wanted to be a Globetrotter.
“As a kid I definitely wanted to be Globetrotter. After my first show I was just dazzled to see something like that and to see a different way of basketball,” said Jet who was ten-years-old when we he saw his first Globetrotter game.
“After that I was in my backyard trying the tricks with the ball and whistling ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ to myself. It played a big role in my life, as I hope it is in every one else’s lives.”
