By DAWNE LEIKER

dleiker@dailynews.net

When 12-year-old Lucas Roths of Ransom woke up Monday morning, he had no idea he would be seeing the Harlem Globetrotters perform Monday night.

Thanks to a surprise from his mom and dad, Cindy and Alan Roths, Lucas sat in the stands of Gross Memorial Coliseum, anticipating an evening of entertainment.

"I've seen the Globetrotters on TV," Lucas said, "and thought they were really funny."

It was a night of fun shared by nearly 3,000 other spectators.

"You don't get a chance to see the Globetrotters in western Kansas very often," Roths said.

The Harlem Globetrotters' stop in Hays was part of its 2010 Magical Memories world tour. Charming audiences for 84 years, the Globetrotters have performed for 130 million fans in 120 countries.

Their slick dance choreography and intricate basketball moves captivated the crowd Monday night in Hays and justified their title of "Magicians of Basketball."

The Globetrotters overcame their opponents, the Washington Generals, with the help of floating basketballs, fan participation, ball spinning, back dribbling, break dancing and even some well-polished basketball action. The audience had many opportunities to share in the fun, with volunteers being called to the court to toss free throws and free kisses for the winning team.

More than 60 Hays Boy Scouts were in the audience, representing Pack 133 and Troop 101.

"You don't normally see Scouts sit this long," Scout leader Gloria Custer said "I think these guys had a blast tonight."

"It was all good," agreed her son, Colby, 15.

Steven Attebury, 17, La Crosse, enjoyed the Globetrotters routine of playing football on the basketball court.

"I really liked it when they did the football rewind," he said.

Following the game, fans of all ages stood in line waiting to be photographed with Globetrotters and to get autographs. Mason Brackney, 10, La Crosse, smiled after having his picture taken with Globetrotter Handles Franklin.

Summing up his night, he said, "It was awesome."