Former Globetrotter player and coach Reggie "Airman" Dixon helps Aliyla spin the ball on her finger.
Team of Former Globetrotters Raise a Hullabaloo for a Great Cause, LIVINGSTON, March 8, 2009 - On Saturday evening on March 7th, 2009 a team of real live former Harlem Globetrotters descended on Livingston and put on quite a show for a large crowd that raised money for a great cause. Many local leaders were on hand to witness the occasion including local celebrity Amy In The Afternoon from Classic Hits 92.3. Proceeds from this event help pay for student's costs at the Abundant Light of Livingston, Inc., a non-profit organization that educates young men and women in the field of medicine and helps to launch people into a rewarding career. The team was headed up by Paul "Show Time" Gaffney who enjoyed a 15 year career as a Globetrotter. The entire audience at the Livingston High School gymnasium had a constant smile as these veteran entertainers pulled out all the stops and then some, using every antic in the book that can be allowed on a basketball court (including the bucket of water followed by bucket of confetti trick). This team of professional showmen frequently used audience participation and employed the use of small children. The audience was entertained and often roared with laughter and clapped with high approval not only of their hilarity, but their prowess on the basketball court. The show came complete with its own referee who knew all his lines, queues and himself was a bundle of laughs and entertainment. By halftime the Former Globetrotters were winning over the Polk County Dream Team 53 - 30, and at the end of the game the trouncing was complete...90 - 54. The last play of the game featured the Trotters lining up in a football formation with "Showtime" Gaffney playing quarterback. Gaffney took the snap and after a lot of highly skilled razzle dazzle put an exclamation point on their victory with a tomahawk slam dunk. The crowd laughed and came to their feet applauding the Trotters who hung around on the court and signed autographs for swarms of fans. By the end of the evening, Abundant Light of Livingston Executive Director Kenneth Darden thanked the audience for coming out and supporting a mission that helps lead to a better life for many.
Abundant Light of Livingston is a non-profit organization with a mission to educate people who might not be able to afford college. This mission launches people in the right direction in life and betters our society by making them productive, independent, gainfully employed citizens. If you would like to donate to this cause, please visit the Abundant Light of Livingston Website.
Their comedy knew no bounds as Paul "Showtime" Gaffney lines up to take a snap in a football play on the basketball court. The audience simply couldn't get enough of these guys.
Paul Gaffney rewards Aliyla with a shirt but then pulls it away as another Globetrotter rushes to her defense (hilarity ensued).
The Dream Team didn't know how to react to the Globetrotters antics and basketball prowess.
Livingston High School gym was nearly full capacity for this historical event.
Never faced an opponent like this. The dream team simply couldn't handle these guys.
At the conclusion of the game fans swarmed the former Globetrotters seeking autographs.
Abundant Light of Livingston Executive Director Kenneth Darden (3rd from right) and other community leaders pose for a picture with two former membrs of the legendary Globetrotters. Classic Hits 92.3's Amy is far right.
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