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Photos by Bob Pennel Melvin "MC" Adams of the Harlem Globetrotters puts on a dribbling clinic in front of the Nationals' Bret Nichols. Globetrotters dazzle huge crowd at SOU By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN ASHLAND -- Matthew "Showbiz" Jackson of the Harlem Globetrotters dazzled and entertained a record McNeal Pavilion crowd of 1,422 on Monday night. Jackson, 39, a former Savannah State player who is in his 12th season with the Globetrotters, admits he has always been the funny guy in crowds. "I was my class clown in high school," said Jackson, who scored 12 points and dished off nine assists as the Globetrotters defeated the New York Nationals, 69-56, before a record crowd of 1,422 fans. But this game wasn't about winning. The name of this game was having fun. Reggie 'Regulator' Phillips goes for a spin. "This (clowning on a basketball court) is a natural thing for me," said Jackson. "The only reason I really do this is for the fans. I want them to have fun. "I want them to see athletes on the court having fun, instead of athletes on the court in trouble." Jackson splashed water on two fans during the game, including local game promoter Suzanne Daniel of SOU's athletic staff and Steve and Caleb Salmond of Ashland. He stole the purse of Medford's Joan Greider, who made the fateful mistake of sitting in the front row, making herself accessible to the Globetrotters' chief clown. "He started out by sitting on my lap," said Greider. "It was fun and embarrassing at the same time. He's a big guy." Debbie Ogden of Ashland also had Jackson in her lap. "He said I have a comfortable lap," said Ogden, laughing. "He was absolutely heavy. But I let him do it because the kids love him. They are all wonderful athletes." As for Daniel, who directed ticket sales to a sellout four days prior to the game for the benefit of the SOU Raider Club, she said she didn't mind going home with wet hair after she was doused by a misdirected bucket of water thrown by Melvin "MC" Adams of the Globetrotrers that was intended for Jackson. "I was having a bad hair day already," said Daniel. "I'm not mad. It'll dry. He cooled me off." The overflow crowd was treated to an assortment of dunk shots, primarily by Clyde "The Glide" Sinclair of North Carolina Central and Exree "Mr. Exciting" Hipp, a former University of Maryland star. Adams, who is called the fastest dribbler in the world by the Globetrotters, didn't disappoint. He led the Globetrotters' weaving offense out front and fed cutting teammates for easy layups. As is normal, the Nationals appeared to play defense reluctantly, at best, not wanting to spoil the show. "I thought our kids played real well," said Globetrotters' head coach Tex Harrison, a long-time player and coach for the Globetrotters. "The crowd was real responsive and enthusiastic. They were great." Alex DeSantis, 11, of Ashland said her first experience watching the Globetrotters was memorable. "I liked their tricks and I liked the way they made fun of the referee," said DeSantis. "They are so funny. I also liked it when they played football and threw water." Ryan Tejcka, 7, of Ashland, who is stricken with muscular dystrophy, was allowed to sit in his wheelchair near the end of the Globetrotters' bench by the team. "I like those guys," said Tejecka. "They are really funny. I liked the dunks they made and when they played football." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.