HOULTON, Maine — Dazzling dunks, trick shots and belly laughs were plentiful as the Harlem Superstars comedy basketball team visited Aroostook County for three shows last week.
The Harlem Superstars are a group of talented basketball players whose main mission is to entertain children and their families through “show time” basketball. The shows are filled with fan participation and plenty of laughs.
Shawn Grass of Dyer Brook gets a hand with his uniform from his “father” Donnie “Razzmatazz” Seale during the Friday, March 22, Harlem Superstars event at Houlton Middle-High School. (Joseph Cyr)
Each year, the Superstars also make a point to visit local schools to speak to area children on a variety of topics, such as peer pressure, bullying and the dangers of drugs.
On Wednesday, March 20, at Presque Isle High School, the Superstars performed as a fundraiser for the Presque Isle Sports Boosters. The roster of Wildcat athletes was Cole Paterson, Jonah Hudson, Caleb Wheaton, Will Bridges, Trace Cyr, Noah Flynn, Gavin Akley, Connor Albertson, Jason Dumais, Riley Kinney, Hattie Bubar, Maggie Castonguay, Rebecca Rider and Faith Sjoberg. About 310 attended the event.
At the Katahdin show Saturday, March 23, a smaller crowd of around 200 turned out Katahdin Elementary School to see the comedic group of athletes. Members of the Katahdin “Dream Team” were John McNally, Anthony Chaloux, Alysssa Barylski, Madison Landry, Haley Landry, and Evan Tapley.
At the Houlton Middle-High School performance, more than 500 people attend the night of fun. Members of the senior “Dream Team” from Houlton Middle-High School who participated in the Friday, March 22, Harlem Superstars event are, front from left, Duncan McCormick, Ben Grant, Alex Wilde and Nick Brewer; and back, coach Jen Vega, Rhetta Vega, Jamie Brown, Tessa Solomon, Taylor Cowan, and Bre Croxen.
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- Eli Brady of Houlton gets hoisted into the air by Jordan Grant of the Harlem Superstars during the Friday, March 22, exhibition game at Houlton Middle-High School.
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- Kevin “Showboat” Jackson of the Harlem Superstars snatches some popcorn from a fan during the Friday, March 22, exhibition game at Houlton Middle-High School.
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- Jordan Grant of the Harlem Superstars gets a reaction out of Houlton senior Tessa Solomon during a Friday, March 22, exhibition at Houlton Middle-High School.
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- Mylee Sylvia of Houlton lofts a shot during one of the fan interaction contests at the Friday, March 22, exhibition game with the Harlem Superstars at Houlton Middle-High School.
