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Globetrotter world tour stops here By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN Tex Harrison is called "Mr. Harlem Globetrotter" for good reason. Harrison, 66, has been playing, clowning and coaching for the Globetrotters for more than 40 years, a longevity mark unmatched in the organization. And that includes founder, owner and former head coach Abe Sapperstein. "I've sipped tea with Queen Elizabeth two different times, I was part of the first American team to travel behind the Iron Curtain to play after the Cold War, and I was part of the first team to travel to free and democratic South Africa to play," says Harrison. "I've traveled around the world 24 times, bathed in the River Jordan and had caviar with leaders of the Soviet Union," says Harrison. "It's all been great. I don't regret a minute of the years I've been with the Globetrotters." Harrison, who is into his 24th year as head coach of the Globetrotters after spending 18 years as a player (1954-72), will bring his team into Southern Oregon University's McNeal Pavilion in Ashland on Monday night to play the New York Nationals. The game, which starts at 7 p.m., is sold out. "I tried to retire two different times, but they called me back both times because they needed me," says Harrison. "As long as I'm healthy and enjoying myself, I plan to stay this time. I missed it too much when I was gone." Only Meadowlark Lemon, Goose Tatum, Curly Neal, Wilt Chamberlain (for one year) and Sapperstein are more famous Globetrotters than Harrison, according to Tammy Sparrow of the Globetrotters' front office in Phoenix, Ariz. "Tex is a great person and represents what the Globetrotters are all about," says Sparrow. "We don't feel like we are the same without him. He's our ambassador." The former North Carolina Central star, who has become a role model and teacher for the younger Globetrotters, says he would prefer to entertain fans more than show great basketball skills in games. But winning games is important. "If we don't win, it kind of spoils the show," says Harrison, adding that the Globetrotters haven't lost since 1995, when the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar all-star team -- led by Jabbar's 39 points -- defeated them. "We played them in a 12-game series and they beat us that one time," says Harrison. "But it was pretty competitive. When it's that close, we don't clown as much and I don't really prefer it that way." Harrison knows the fans have paved the Globetrotters' way to fame. "I love talking to the fans and making them laugh," says Harrison. "That's the main reason I've done this all these years. " Harrison says the Globetrotters try to make it a 50-50 split on clowning and serious play in games. They try to build their lead during serious time to allow for the playfulness. "We occasionally go 60-40 in favor of the clowning, depending on what the fans seem to want and how the game is going," says Harrison. The chief prankster among the Globetrotters is Matthew "Show Biz" Jackson, a guard out of Savannah State. "He's the comic who makes you laugh," says Harrison. "He carouses with the crowd and does things of an entertaining nature. You never know what he might do next. "Women in the front rows better be ready to get kissed, or have water thrown on them. But it's all in fun." Show Biz gets help from former University of Houston player Melvin "MC" Adams, who is billed as the world's fastest dribbler. Reggie "The Regulator" Phillips, from Cal State-Bakersfield, is an incredible leaper and performs spectacular dunks even though he's only 5-foot-11. "X-Ray" Hipp, a 6-8 former University of Maryland product, also performs dunking displays when he's not pounding the backboards and playing hard during serious time, Harrison says. Other Globetrotters to watch, says Harrison, are 7-foot center Otis Key out of Lincoln University in Missouri; 6-2 Clyde Sinclair of North Carolina Central; and 6-7 Wun "The Shock" Versher of Arizona State. Former Oregon player Jamar Curry was on the Globetrotters early in the season but has since left the team for other opportunities. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.