The Patrick Henry High School gym was packed on Thursday, February 25, when Hot Shot Branch of the Harlem Globetrotters came to entertain. His visit was part of his work as an Advance Ambassador for the Globetrotters, and was put together by the Roanoke Civic Center Marketing Coordinator, Sharon Pratt, as a way to recognize and reward good character and grades. “We have had a tight schedule,” Pratt said, “I have really been thrilled to be able to set these events up.”
Pratt said they spent the morning at the America’s Best Eyeglasses & Contacts in Town Square Shopping Center, which is the Harlem Globetrotter’s sponsor. “We asked TAP (Total Action against Poverty) Head Start to identify a family that needed eye care,” she explained. Pratt said that a mother and her two sons were invited to the store where Hot Shot wore a white doctor’s coat and presented each of them with a $150 voucher for glasses and a free ticket to the Harlem Globetrotters’ performance on March 4.
Branch spent much of Thursday’s visit to PH doing ball tricks with the Patrick Henry Boys’ Varsity Basketball team, accompanied by the famous “Sweet Georgia Brown” whistle. All who made A/B Honor Roll for the second nine weeks attended for free, while those with at least a C average paid $2. The 13 students chosen by teachers to be the Students of the Second Nine Weeks were also honored. “Our students need to be recognized,” said PH principal Connie Ratcliffe, “and to have the opportunity to see a star athlete who is a professional communicator.”
Pratt said the two were on their way next to the popular “C.H.E.E.R. For Character” (Cooperation, Healthy mind & body, Effort, Enthusiasm, and Responsibility) program at the Civic Center. The program has been highly successful because of the Harlem Globetrotters’ efforts since its 2004 inception.
Hot Shot, a Houston, Texas native and Baylor University graduate, is in his seventh season with the Globetrotters and said he has been to 34 countries. He is a self-taught D.J. and says that he’d like to be a probation officer following his basketball playing career.
By Deborah K. Wood [email protected]