We never tire of airballs
Goodyear, the tire company that's probably more famous for having blimps, took a representative from UCLA, Florida, Ohio State and Georgetown up in one of their airships Friday not too far from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta to see who could make what would be called "the world's longest basketball shot."
Ohio State and Georgetown people did it. UCLA and Florida people didn't.
Before you check out the video at the Goodyear website, know this: UCLA (senior Chris Smith from South Lake Tahoe) and Florida (senior Alex Smith from Miami) were represented by guys; Ohio State (sophomore Stacey Freyer from Woodville, Ohio) and Georgetown (senior Jennifer Hanson from Turtle Lake, North Dakota, who's also a cheerleader) were represented by girls.
The way it worked: The four got up in the Goodyear blimp about 500 feet above a 100-foot goal, holding a regulation basketball.
"I thought it looked makeable," said OSU's Freyer. "When I shot it, we were way past the target, but it looked like it started out dead on. When it was good, we all started cheering. Everyone was excited even the pilots."
Said Georgetown's Hanson: "I thought I missed it by a mile. And then, while the ball was falling, it looked like it changed direction. I saw it hit that target and bounce up and then I knew I made it. I was surprised, but it was a good surprise."
For winning, the two girls got a prize package that includes travel, accomodations and tickets for two to any one of the sporting events where Goodyear will cover in the next 12 months. Also, video of their shots and the balls they used will be sent to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. for display and historical purposes.
Goodyear, of course, will be providing those dynamic areal shots above the Georgia Dome to show everyone what the roof of the building looks like during the Final Four and Monday's title game.