BASKETBALL
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
WHAT do you get when you cross sports and entertainment?
The Harlem Globetrotters.
While professional wrestling still sits atop, the exhibition basketball team are world-renowned and a household name.
Its affection was distinct in the Globetrotters’ visit to the Latrobe Valley last week.
The Globetrotters entertained children and grown adults alike at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium last Wednesday (July 8), marking their first trip to the region since 2022.
On their Spread Games tour across Australia, which also serves as part of the Globetrotters’ centenary year, locals were treated to a celebration of the trick-shot-making, slam-dunkers’ decade-spanning history.
Antics were aplenty, whether it be involving those in attendance, regular nemesis Washington Generals, and the no-nonsense referee.
The crowd interaction was the standout of the show, as by the end, all were in sync and at the command of the players at centre court.
Cheers, laughs and audible awes were consistent and roared throughout the stadium.
Thunder Law led a majority of the entertainment, both in and around the action occurring in the game itself, often racing into the stands and playfully to-and-froing with those sitting courtside.
One included a re-enactment of the famed Lion King scene with a less than enthused young fan held above by the Globetrotters frontman as The Circle of Life music blared out.
Thunder Law also sucked a courtside spectator into taking part in a dance competition by pinching her purse.
Throughout the game, other items were stolen and hurled across the court, including some old dusty shoes.
Torch George was also a crowd favourite, with the ‘Queen of the crossover’ displaying her slick dribble moves being so much closer to the ground, given she’s only 160 centimetres tall.
A trailblazing female Globetrotter, Torch George even brought a young fan onto the court to teach them some of her skills, before gifting them a game ball for their efforts – only after more trickery from some of George’s Globetrotter teammates.
Surprise characters even made an appearance, including an outback safari ranger closely resembling Crocodile Dundee and even Michael Jackson.
Impressive choreography was on display when the MJ lookalike completed the iconic moonwalk, before a Globetrotters play went wrong and the referee gave possession to the Generals after the ball went out of bounds.
Thunder Law convinced the referee to change his decision by pressing the replay button, sending everything in backwards that had just transpired, including going through the MJ dance sequence, and then taking it through gradually in slow motion.
Deservedly, once we got back to the point where the ball was deemed in the hands of the Globetrotters, the crowd loudly applauded the synchronisation of events.
Past all of this, there was still a game to be won.
The Generals held a lead late, forcing the Globetrotters to put their heads down and give the fans what they were after.
A four-pointer was missed by the Globetrotters at the final buzzer, forcing a golden point opportunity for either side.
With everyone on the edge of their seats, Moose Weekes crept behind and stole the ball from a Generals player, running down the court and slamming it home, sending the crowd into a frenzy as the win was banked.
By the game’s end, it was evident that the score wasn’t important, rather that the circus of events emphatically delivered.
All the players taking the court were clearly talented athletes and basketballers, but their charisma and showmanship was the true gift, which continues to make the Globetrotters successful in every outing over an entire century.
While stunt shots are commonplace at a Globetrotters event, outside of some well-timed passing plays (running circles around the Generals) that were full of flair and some exceptional high-flying dunks and alley-oops, much of the difficult halfcourt, bounce and
behind-the-back shots went awry.
Momentary disappointment was visible on the face of the likes of Thunder Law, who is listed as holding 11 Guinness World Records, but again, that was quickly forgotten by the players and the crowd as the non-stop action carried on through the night.
The end of the game wasn’t the end of the show either, as young fans then patiently lined up to grab a picture with any Globetrotter of their please, as well as the opportunity to get their basketballs and jerseys signed.
