The Harlem Globetrotters 2025 World Tour dribbles into the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Friday, April 4th!
I remember seeing the Globetrotters as a young child. Even though I knew very little about basketball, I sat mesmerized, watching these athletes entertain the crowd. At that time, I didn’t even notice what was missing from this magnificent team of showmen… women!
FUN FACT: The first female Globetrotters came on the scene in 2011. Today, there are three groups of twenty-eight players, with four women in each group. The 2025 Tour will include about one hundred-fifty games.
Basketball has taken on new life in recent years, especially in the Upstate. Greenville has been called the “Basketball Capital of the South”. For the seventh year, The SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament will be played at The Well. Fans from all over the country will descend upon our fair city March 5th – 9th.
You don’t have to be a Gamecock fan to recognize the name Dawn Staley. She has shot pride across the Palmetto state, thanks to her accomplishments with the Lady Gamecocks. Long before Staley moved to our neck of the woods, she coached at Temple University. Fatima Maddox was on Staley’s team there. Now, Maddox is known as TNT with the Harlem Globetrotters. We had the pleasure of meeting TNT when she came to play with/speak to the Roger C. Peace Rollin Tigers.
Who are the Rollin Tigers? This group of enthusiastic players are exactly what their name implies. They are boys and girls who play basketball in wheelchairs. Youth, ages 5-18, with any lower limb impairment are welcome to join the team. The Rollin Tigers are the only team of its kind in South Carolina. The first team was formed in 2016, with the majority of players ages 10 and younger.
Today’s team is coached by Lindsey Metz and Jeff Townsend and consists of a prep team for ages 5 – 13, and a varsity team for ages 14 – 18. These players don’t use typical wheelchairs, but special chairs designed especially for sports. The cost could hinder participation were it not for the Challenged Athletes Foundation Grants. (some equipment is furnished by Roger C. Peace). Families can apply for these grants every three years. That’s so important since young players outgrow their special wheelchairs before they age out of the Tigers.
Check out their website and support these extraordinary young athletes!
Globetrotter ,TNT, stopped by The Well February 4th to meet some of the Rollin Tigers. She amazed the team, and a handful of spectators, with her basketball finesse. After spinning a basketball on one finger, TNT helped the Tigers take a turn at twirling. After TNT showed off her tricks, the Rollin Tigers demonstrated their court skills. When TNT took to a wheelchair, we won’t talk about who had the best moves!
Fatima Maddox represented the Globetrotters well and made many friends during her time spent with these special kids.
Mark your calendars now and don’t miss the Harlem Globetrotters when they come to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Friday, April 4th!