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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Leona Greenan

Blantyre schoolkids cock-a-hoop after meeting American basketball star Jaycee Hillsman

Pupils, parents and staff from High Blantyre Primary School were treated like "Rock stars" at the Emirates Stadium at the weekend.

For around 90 people travelled from the Lanarkshire town to enjoy a fun-packed evening watching the famous Glasgow Rocks basketball team in action, after being offered free tickets during an earlier coaching session at their school.

Billy Singh, community development officer for the Rocks, pulled out all the stops to make sure the kids had a night to remember.

And that's exactly what it was when all of the primary four and five children were welcomed to the court at half time for a quick game. The youngsters were filled with excitement as they made their way on to the court and played in front of a full stadium with the cheering crowd getting right behind them.

Their evening was made complete when Rocks player Jaycee Hillsman, originally of Chicago, USA, came courtside for selfies with the pupils.

Glasgow Rocks basketball player Jaycee Hillsman with High Blantyre Primary School pupils (Contributed)

A spokesperson for the school's Parent Council said: "Even although no baskets were scored, if the kids were to be awarded points for effort and enthusiasm, they would have won them all!

"Their favourite player Jaycee made them all feel so special. He remembered them from the coaching session at the school from back in February and that made it even more magical.

"After such a hard two years with the pandemic, it was lovely to see our kids getting so much enjoyment with their school friends. We are so grateful to the Glasgow Rocks for getting our kids engaged in basketball.

"Thanks to a microgrant from Blantyre community council and a donation from the Asda Green Token Scheme, the Parent Council will now be able to purchase basketball hoops for our kids to allow them to keep practicing what they've learned. We are delighted and know our kids will be too."

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