Game pits ex-Gators, high school stars

In a charity basketball game, the former Florida football players beat a team of Pasco basketball players.

By KEVIN KELLY

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 15, 2000

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Nick Ferraro walked around the gym at Gulf High School and didn't even draw a second look.

When in the company of fellow Florida Gators fans, not even blue spray-painted hair is all that outlandish.

The 12-year-old from New Port Richey was one of the estimated 500 Florida fans clad in blue and orange Thursday night.

Toting everything from pennants to newspaper clippings to hats, shirts, plaques and pictures, they were at Gulf High to get a few autographs and to see 12 of the area's finest prep basketball players compete in a charity game against the Swamp Shooters, a traveling basketball team that consists of former UF football players. The money raised goes to various Florida schools.

To the delight of Ferraro and all the Florida faithful who attended, the Swamp Shooters beat the Suncoast Stars 90-76.

'I loved it," said Charlie O'Dell, who's painting his Chevy Astro van orange and blue in anticipation of Steve Spurrier's visit next week. 'I thought it was great. I couldn't believe how well the Gators were playing. They're football players but they can play basketball."

Only a few fans who paid the $3 for admission seemed to mind that the advertised stars didn't show up.

Pro Bowl linebacker Jevon Kearse of the Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, Tampa Bay Buccaneers receivers Jacquez Green and Reidel Anthony, along with Chicago Bears quarterback Shane Matthews and Denver Broncos receiver Chris Doering all failed to appear for various reasons.

'Where's "The Freak?' " one fan screamed before the game, referring to Kearse.

In attendance were Willie Jackson of the Cincinnati Bengals, Kerwin Bell and Milt Stegall of the Canadian Football League and Anthony Mitchell, Cooper Carlisle and Darrell Jackson, who played on the Gators' 1999 team.

Greg Armstrong, the event organizer and past president of the Pasco County Gator Club, said he was notified at 3 p.m. that some of the marquee players wouldn't be there.

'These are all professional football players," he said. 'You never know who you're going to get. We actually expected Jacquez Green to be here but he just didn't show. We don't know what happened to him. But that's the nature of professional athletes. You just don't know from day to day."

Despite the lack of big names, fans and players enjoyed themselves.

'I had a good time," said Cory Seels, who was a senior at Ridgewood last season and the Stars' leading scorer with 18 points. 'It was awesome. These guys can play. They're athletic."

Bell, who is a quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL and co-founder of the Swamp Shooters, picked children from the stands to shoot free throws and gave one referee grief for being a Florida State fan.

Darrell Jackson, who expects to be selected in the NFL draft today, scored 23 points, including five three-pointers.

'He can play," Seels said.

Jackson also participated in competitions between quarters that pitted fans against athletes for T-shirts.

'We come out here and do it for the kids, put on a good show for the kids," he said. 'But we don't like losing, either."

Members of the Swamp Shooters also used the time between quarters to speak to the audience. Topics ranged from the negative effects of using drugs and alcohol to the importance of getting an education and following your dreams.

'If you don't get your grades, you cannot realize the dreams you have for yourself," Bell said. 'Nothing is given to you in life but if you want something, you can have it. You get your education, believe in yourself, don't ever give up and don't let anyone tell you can't succeed."

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