Staff writer
CARIBOU — The Harlem Superstars dunked, danced, and dazzled their way into the hearts of spectators in the Caribou High School gymnasium on April 2, playing against the best that Caribou could offer.
Displeased with the call, Chris Turnquist of the Harlem Superstars decided to take the official to the mat. No participants were harmed in the making of this photo.
At the half, the Superstars were up 52-37 after using a very new school approach to offense, which included simultaneous choreographed dance and other comedic theatrics.
“We need to re-group and maybe tighten up our defense,” said coach Brad Holabird, smiling as he pretended to be concerned.
Though it seemed like the Dream Team did tighten their defense, they did not tighten their drawstrings and Mark Shea of Maine Winter Sports felt the cold breeze of un-preparedness after being pantsed by Superstar Chris “Chicken” Turnquist.
Some have speculated that the pantsing tactic was an aggressive defensive approach and was justified after a previous play, when Turnquist made a hard drive toward the basket and was denied by Shea, sending Turnquiest sprawling over the gym floor in a jumbled backwards summersault of flailing limbs. After a break for medical evaluation, it was determined that Turnquist had not in fact broken his chicken wing, and play resumed.
While still down in the fourth quarter, Shea spotted an opening for the Dream Team to gain some ground and faking left, he pantnsed Turnquist. When no foul was called, the referee was chased down and pantsed, after which he conceded to calling the foul; Turnquist missed both shots, due to the fact that he was shooing them backwards while holding on to his shorts and keeping an eye on Shea.
It was a tough game for the officials, who had to occasionally remind the towering Superstars of the rules.
After Superstar Kevin ‘Showboat’ Jackson held the net closed, attempting to discourage the basket from being made, the official informed Jackson that such action was bad news.
“You want some good news?” Jackson asked the official, “I just saved 15 percent on my auto insurance by switching to Geico.”
Aside from frequent dance breaks, a brief transition into a football game, and one Superstar rubbing a spectator’s bald head for luck, the Superstars showcased tremendous skill through highlight reel worthy dunking, lingering three pointers, and ball handling abilities that seemed to defy the laws of physics; the audience reportedly adored the performance, which resulted in favor of the Superstars 90-57.
“The responses I’ve hear from people who attended the show thought it was great,” said 2010 Class Advisor Pat Sterris. “We had about 800 people there and I would say that we raised about $2,500 to be put toward graduation expenses, like senior week, yearbook, and the prom.”
“The Harlem Superstars put on a really great halftime show as well, getting the kids involved and the audience involved,” Sterris said, “it was a really great show and we’re happy to have had them.”
“Most of our games are in smaller towns,” said Harlem Superstars Owner and CEO Ricky Lopes. “We like to bring fun and excitement to smaller towns and most of the time, especially in this day and age of a recession, you don’t want to drive all the way down to Bangor and pay a high price at a bigger arena for entertainment, so we bring the entertainment to you for a very low price. As you can see, we have a talented bunch of guys that tour around and entertain.”
According to Lopes, all of the players are former Division I college athletes and are all professionally ranked.
“I like the interaction with the families and the kids,” Lopes said. “It’s the best feeling in the world to see the smile on a kid’s face when you give them a high five. You can drive all the way to Boston to see a game, but you don’t get to meet the players. You get to meet us at the end of the game, and I’ll stay until close, signing every autograph and we make sure that everyone has an enjoyable time.”
Keeping to his word, Lopes remained in the gymnasium well after game time taking photos, signing autographs, and lifting youths well over his 7-foot frame so that they could have their picture taken making an assisted slam dunk.
Though the Superstars had another game scheduled in Madawaska the night of April 3, the team had reportedly planned on taking in the sights of Aroostook County in hopes of seeing a moose.
Chris Turnquist was awarded two foul shots after being pantsed by Caribou Dream Team member Mark Shea. Turnquist, who wanted to keep his pants in the upright position, proceeded to take his two shots backwards while holding up his pants so that he could keep an eye on Shea.
Chris “Chicken” Turnquist interacted with the audience during a portion of the halftime show in a quick passing game.
Not even the officials were safe from the pantsing antics of the Harlem Superstars.
Showing their athletic versatility, the players randomly broke into a football match during the game.
About 800 people packed into the Caribou High School gym to watch the Harlem Superstars on April 2.
It was a rough game for the officials, who had to explain to the players that points still counted even if the basket was held shut.
As part of the half time show, Chris Turnquist helped spectator Jaden Picard hold a spinning basketball while Sophia Livingston watched.
The Harlem Superstars made dunking look easy when they played at CHS on April 2. The display had some spectators wondering, how do you defend against the dunk? 
