Staff Writer
HOULTON — A late-season snowstorm that piled more than a foot of snow in Houlton could not keep nearly 400 basketball fans from enjoying an evening of comedy basketball with the Harlem Superstars Friday, April 1.
SPIDER-MAN — A member of the Harlem Superstars dons a Spider-Man mask as he performs an acrobatic dunk during the April 1 charity basketball game at Houlton High School. The event was a fundraiser for the senior class.
“I was very pleased with the turnout considering how bad the weather was,” said event organizer Jenn Carr. “I have had double the attendance in the past, but I was glad that we ended the night on the plus side.”
The event served as a fundraiser for the Houlton High School senior class for their class trip, banquet and prom.
A local “Dream Team” comprised of high school seniors squared off in a basketball game against the Harlem Superstars. Members of the Houlton team included Logan Holmes, Ian Gervais, Ben Flewelling, Ben Ward, Micah Goetsch, Cody Briggs, Kam Lincoln, Tanner Caron, Gaige Flewelling, Aaron Faulkingham, Mike Ring and Chris Anderson.
“It was a great time,” said Caron, the senior class president. “It’s amazing to play against athletes who are 20 times better than you are. I haven’t played basketball in a long time, so it was interesting.”
“It was pretty fun playing basketball against them,” added Gervais. “And they were also pretty nice guys. Some of the players got mad when we tried to pressure them [on defense] or interfere. Overall it was a good challenge and a fun show to be a part of.”
Members of the Harlem Superstars who performed were: Ricky “the 7-footer” Lopes, Kevin “Showboat” Jackson, Chris “Super Chicken” Turnquist, Mark “Hollywood” Jones, Avery “Slick” Stevenson and Steve “Surfer Boy” Faulkner.
Caron said the proceeds would help in the senior class’ efforts to raise funds for their trip.
“We didn’t earn as much as we were hoping to because of the weather,” he said.
The HHS senior class trip takes place May 20-22 and includes a visit to Boston, as well as stops in Bar Harbor and Old Orchard Beach.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph CyrHEADLOCK — Mark “Hollywood” Jones of the Harlem Superstars puts HHS senior Ian Gervais in a headlock during a comedy break in the action.
GREETINGS — Harlem Superstar Ricky Lopes works the crowd, greeting HHS senior Marcy Hernandez in the stands.
