Harlem Globetrotters electrify Saber Nation with 91-78 victory

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden
  • 52nd FIghter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  Their team has dazzled millions of spectators in scores of countries for more than eight decades; their honorary ranks include league legends, gold medal athletes, statesmen and a pope; and they've even saved the day on TV alongside the crews of The Mystery Machine and S.S. Minnow.

But for one game, they'd mesmerize Saber Nation, adding it to their long list of international venues for courtside razzmatazz.

The Harlem Globetrotters basketball team bested the International Elite team 91-78 during a complimentary game before more than 1,000 Airmen and their families at the Skelton Memorial Fitness Center Dec. 4.

The players hosted the matchup and following autograph session sponsored by Navy Entertainment and Armed Forces Entertainment and supported by the 52nd Force Support Squadron.

"My teammates and I are honored to be here performing for the men and women in uniform and their families," said Hi-Lite, showman for the Globetrotters of Greer, S.C. "On behalf of both teams, Navy Entertainment and Armed Forces Entertainment, we say thank you. Thank you guys for all that you do, not only for America but for all the countries around the world."

The Globetrotters extended their 2013-2014 "You Make the Rules" world tour to include 12 games at U.S. military bases in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Greece and Spain, according to the team's press release.

Players like Hacksaw, a Globetrotter from Greensboro, N.C., said the motivation to travel all corners of the world had a deeper meaning than just living up to their team name.

"The happiness that I bring from America to families all across the world--that's what motivates me," he said. "I can say a smile in China is just the same as in America."

For those unfamiliar with the Globetrotters, the team's basketball games include additional features to regular ones, such as players wearing microphones throughout the game as well as four circular markers on the court 35 feet away from the hoop, indicating a four-point shot.

But those extras alone are not enough to describe the barnstorming behind a Harlem Globetrotters game.

Throw in some trick basketballs, comedic taunts to referees and opponents, a couple of wigs, a 10-foot tall inflatable mascot and a bucket of confetti along with audience participation, and the same gymnasium used for commander's calls transformed into laughter-filled full-court circus.

"We're just excited to be here to show you some of our high-flying dunkers, the dribblers and the entertainment aspect of the game," said Sweet J, Globetrotter guard of Dallas, Texas, and one of 12 female players in franchise history. "I think everyone deserves to have some fun, and that's what we do. We like to bring smiles to people's faces."

Within the first three minutes of the game, the Elite took a 6-4 lead before their head coach challenged one of the Globetrotters to a trick shot challenge. If a Globetrotter could spin a ball on one finger and then make a basket, the Harlem team would receive five points. Miss the shot and those points go to the opponent's tally.

As Globetrotter Slick sank the digit-supported basketball, Harlem soared to a 9-6 lead.

The three-point margin endured a few more trick shot challenges as Globetrotters ended the first quarter 26-23.

According to Hacksaw, the successful makeup behind a basketball team is not unlike those who serve in the military.

"You've got to be really disciplined to function on a team," he said "To complete a task, you have to work well with others. That's what we do, travelling around the world to entertain others."

And just as a squadron is focused on defending its base, the teams returned with a determination to protect and build upon their tallies for the second quarter.

Under a new rule, the quarter commenced with a two-on-two match where players added a teammate after just scoring a basket. If they missed, they had to return a member to the benches.

The flow between running from hoop to hoop stopped as Globetrotter Slick brought in not a jersey-clad player, but a seven year old girl from the crowd.

Amanda Rivera Vega, daughter of Carol Pabon and Staff Sgt. Michael Rivera Vega, NCO in charge of medical logistics of 52nd Medical Support Squadron from Puerto Rico, stood at the center of the court next to her newfound 6'6" friend Slick, who taught her to spin a basketball on her finger to the delight of the crowd.

"My dad just brought me here today and then I was in the game," she said. "I got real nervous. I never thought I could do that - but it wasn't hard to do."

When Amanda returned to her seat with an autographed basketball from the team, her family said they now saw her as a basketball star.

"It was unbelievable seeing my daughter there and the expression of happiness on her face," Sergeant Rivera Vega said. "I will remember this for a long, long time."

Amanda's crowd-stopping display coupled with more antics from the team pushed Harlem to a six-point lead with seven minutes left in the half, 38-32. But in less than three minutes, the Elite rallied to a 14-point drive, outpacing Harlem 46-44.

The teams continually tied and held on to razor-thin advantages over their rival throughout the remaining five minutes of the second quarter.

Despite double alley oops and the first completed four-point shot of the game by Slick, the Elite broke through with two three-point shots and ahead of the Globetrotters 60-55.

But going back to the locker room with a deficit didn't deter Harlem players like Hacksaw.

"It's just a lot of fun to go out and entertain people," he said.

For the third quarter, a team member from each side donned orange "Hot Hand" jerseys denoting their contributed shots would be worth double the value. A shot from the Globetrotters' Hammer and a connected double-value three-pointer from "Hot Hand" jersey-wearing Sweet J returned Harlem to the lead with 63-60.

A foul by Hi-Lite brought the Elite to the free throw line, with the teams equal at 66 points with 30 seconds left in the quarter. Yet a buzzer-beating three-point shot by Hacksaw sliced away a potential draw at 69-66.

After a second-half stretch with the Globetrotters leading them in dancing to the Village People's "Y.M.C.A.," the fans collectively decided the fourth quarter's rule would showcase the trick shot challenge. A half-complete double-ball dunk by the Globetrotters and some two baskets brought the Elite to a 77-73 lead with seven minutes until game's end.

Regardless if anyone put money down thinking the Elite were due for a win, the Globetrotters, aided by a six year old boy's completed shot from the free-throw line, catapulted the team back with a 14-1 run.

A successful four-point shot from Hacksaw with 20 seconds left in the game to the tune of their toe-tapping anthem "Sweet Georgia Brown" blaring from the speakers cemented the Globetrotter's more than 20,000-win record as they vanquished the Elite 91-78.

The outcome may not have been in doubt as the Globetrotters compiled a more than 98 percent winning streak in 88 years. But for the children in the crowd like Amanda, no statistic could put words behind the acrobatic marvels they just witnessed.

"Just the smiles on people's faces at the end of the game and the love that they give to you are indescribable," she said. "I love to have fun with the little kids and also you see adults smiling in the stands, too. It's an awesome feeling."

After the game, spectators gathered around players and Globie, the team mascot, to collect autographed rosters and signed basketballs.

In the morning, the teams would be on the road to their next destination, and the duty of the men and women of Saber Nation of serving as Europe's sentry and avenger will continue.

But for that shared moment between players and fans in the fitness center, the feeling of being awestruck by one's basketball skills and admiration for the other's devotion to country seemed mutual.

"As a member of the Air Force, I am very thankful for the Globetrotters team, their whole staff and everybody behind the scenes that made this event happen," Sergeant Rivera Vega said. "Being so far from home sometimes can be tough, but events like this bring happiness to our families and ensure our morale stays high. My family had a great time, and I'm sure my kids will remember this for the rest of their lives."

"Thanks to the troops for what you guys do and keep it up - we really appreciate it," Hacksaw said.

For more information about the Harlem Globetrotters, visit their website at www.harlemglobetrotters.com.