By BILL O’REAR
Coach Hardy is primed
for another Civic show
By BILL O’REAR
Tribune-Herald sports editor
After almost a 20-year break from playing in Hilo, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters will entertain fans with an exhibition game on Sunday afternoon.
The Globetrotters, in their 86th year traveling the world and thrilling fans of all ages with their ballhandling wizardry, all-around basketball skills and athletic talent, will play the International Elite at 2 p.m. Sunday at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun returning to play in Hilo,” said Globetrotters coach Barry Hardy, a former Brigham Young University-Hawaii standout from the late 1980s. He played seven years for the Globetrotters, then worked in various other capacities within the organization before taking over as the coach five years ago.
Hardy, a former three-time national dunk champion with a 48-inch vertical leap coming out of BYUH, played the last time the Globetrotters thrilled fans at the Civic, in 1993. His Globetrotter nickname was “High Rise” for his jumping ability.
“We’re coming back with a lot of the same original family-entertainment skits and basketball fun,” he said. “But we’ve also added some new flavor and this year’s team has a lot of athletic talent — guys who can really get up and dunk the ball, some outstanding shooters and some brilliant ball-handlers.”
A special addition, Hardy said, is that Satima “TNT” Maddox will be playing for the Globetrotters — the first female on the squad since 1993.
“It’s kind of special that the last time we played in Hilo, we also had a female — Jolette Law — on the team,” Hardy said. “Satima is an exceptional basketball player and fans will enjoy her contributions.”
The Globetrotters recently finished their 2012 Championship Tour across the United States, battling the International Elite.
“They’re a quality opponent comprised of former professional and collegiate players from around the world,” Hardy said.
The Globetrotters are led by 6-foot-9 Nate “Big Easy” Lofton, a former collegiate player from Louisiana.
“Big Easy is a lot like Sweet Lou Dunbar, Geese Ausbie and Meadowlark Lemon, the past great lead players for the Globetrotters,” Hardy said. “He has a great personality and keeps everybody going.”
Lofton recently appeared twice in the popular CBS-TV program “The Amazing Race.”
Joining Lofton on the Globetrotters roster for their Hawaii trip are dribbling masters Chris “Handles” Franklin and Shane “Scooter” Christensen, 4-point sharpshooter Anthony “Buckets” Blake, high-flying dunkers Antoine “Bones” Millien, Will “Bull” Bullard and 2011 college slam dunk champion Jacob “Hops” Tucker who sports a 50-inch vertical. Rounding out the talented team are 7-foot Jermaine “Stretch” Middleton and the cat-quick Maddox.
Hardy, 43, is especially thrilled to be returning to Hawaii as well as the Civic where he played for BYUH against the University of Hawaii at Hilo during his four years as a Seasider. He played his first season under coach Chic Hess, then his final three years under Ken Wagner.
‘Coming back to Hawaii is a homecoming for me,” Hardy said. “It’s such a great honor to be working with the Globetrotters and helping to provide outstanding basketball and wonderful family entertainment for the fans who come out to watch.”
He also savors his opportunity to work with today’s high-quality athlete on the world-class team.
“By coaching the Globetrotters, I have a chance to pass along the tradition of Sweet Lou and Geese and all the great Globetrotters from the past,” Hardy said. “The athletes of today are so gifted. We’ve got some outstanding athletes on the team this year.”
Hardy said he doesn’t miss playing the game, but he does miss the friendships he made while playing around the world.
The Globetrotters, who have showcased their talents in 120 countries and territories on six continents during their remarkable history, play on Maui and Oahu before making their trip to the Big Island.
Tickets
Tickets for Sunday’s game are available at all KTA Super Stores courtesy counters for $22 per person plus a $3 service charge for each ticket that benefits the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island. The Civic box office will open at noon Sunday.