Wildcats wow crowd at GHS

By Norm Haney, nhaney@bgdailynews.com — 270-783-3271

Saturday, April 24, 2004

The Big Blue flying circus came to town Friday and for fans who were there it was all smiles. Kentucky basketball seniors Cliff Hawkins, Gerald Fitch, Erik Daniels, Antwain Barbour and Matt Heissenbuttel entertained fans at Greenwood High School as they faced off against a combination of Gator players, staff and alumni. Although the game itself was not competitive, the action on the court was high flying. While Fitch and his teammates have seen a little bit of everything during their tenure at Kentucky, getting the warm reception they received was another reminder of how special the relationship between the team and its fans are. This is about entertainment and having fun with the crowd. We want to give them a show, Fitch said. Were still finding out what Kentucky basketball is all about and Ive been here for four years. For 8-year old Zach McDaniel, the game turned into a memory of a lifetime. Near the beginning of the second half, McDaniel decided to make his way toward the Wildcat bench, where he was greeted by a resting Fitch. Moments later McDaniel found himself on the court in the midst of the action wearing Fitchs blue practice jersey, which the senior gladly gave up for a while. I had a really good time playing with the big boys, McDaniel said. He asked me if I wanted to play and I said, Yeah. Hes my favorite player. Zachs father, former Gator coach Jonathon McDaniel, was a member of Team Greenwood and was thrilled to see his son rubbing elbows with the UK players. While little Zach was all smiles on the court, his father may have been the one with the bigger thrill. Its awful neat to get to play against your son and hes an 8-year old playing for Kentucky, the elder McDaniel said. Its really neat for him. This is something hell remember as long as he lives. The game itself was a lesson in dunkology. Kentucky players were tossing alley-oops off anything in sight, slamming to the delight of the crowd. For Connor Rayner, a 12-year-old student at Briarwood Elementary School, it was surreal to see the players up close. They sure are a lot bigger than they look on television, he said. Its just fun to finally get to see them play in real life. Greenwood senior Eric Littleton came out with the same high-level intensity he was known for this season playing for coach Blane Embry. While he was able to sneak a few baskets past the outstretched arms of Daniels, the game was an eye opener to the UK players athleticism. Theyre every bit as good as I thought they would be and theyre not even trying, Littleton said. With their UK athletic careers over, the game is another chance for the players to say goodbye to fans. Many see the game as a farewell tour, where they can give a little back to fans they say are the best in the country. Its awesome to get out here and see the fans because we know how much this team means to the state, Heissenbuttel said. Weve got the greatest fans and its just fun to give something back to them. Some of the fans cant get out to the game, so its fun to get out here and put on a show for them, Barbour said. This gives people a last chance to see us play. Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700