Dream Come True: Legacy and Horizon play at Amway Center in 'Court of Dreams' game

One of the most quoted lines in movie history comes from the Kevin Costner film, “Field of Dreams.” 

If you build it, they will come. 

It’s actually a misquote; the line in the movie is, “If you build it, he will come,” in reference to Costner’s character’s father. However, the often-used line in this case can be used to say that if you can build a solid program, people will come watch. 

For Horizon, the first big moment in its young program’s history will come Dec. 23, when it and Legacy Charter’s basketball team meet on the Amway Center court in the appropriately named “Court of Dreams” game. 

TAKING FLIGHT

When you’re a first-year program, your goal is to try and lay the foundation for years to come. Horizon’s basketball team has been no exception to this rule so far in the 2021-22 season. 

The team has a 3-5 record (as of press time Tuesday) but is coming off a 59-55 win over St. Cloud. It is showing to have some pieces to build on for many years. The biggest surprise for head coach Ben Wright has been how hard his team works and how eager they are to learn. 

“I can’t say enough about how the work, dedication and the expectancy level of hard work and professionalism of the team,” Wright said. “You can’t measure culturally what we’re trying to start from scratch by what the record is going to look like those first couple of years because it’s so early. We’ll be a big 7A Metro team real soon, but we’re not there yet.” 

Freshman Korvante Hatter has shown flashes of brilliance several times during the young season, with a high point coming against fellow first-year program Davenport. During that game, Hatter scored 20 points and hauled in 20 rebounds as he led the Hawks to their first victory over the Broncos, 67-46. 

“It was great; I was going out and fighting for my team, and doing the things coach tells me to do,” Hatter said. 

His quick rise has impressed Wright, who thinks the best of Hatter has not been seen yet. 

“He’s a downhill bull right now,” Wright said. “I’ve heard from certain people that he’s just a big guy, but he’s a guard. He’s building his guard skills, putting a great amount of work on his shooting, handling and decision-making. If he continues on the path he’s on … that kid has really scary potential if he can continue to build that skill.” 

Hatter’s so-called “partner in crime” has been sophomore Trei Ginn. Ginn is third the team in points per game with 10.5, but he is second on the team in rebounds behind Hatter at 7.8 per game. 

Ginn said the Hawks are beginning to jell.

“We had a lot of guys (who) came in, didn’t know each other, and at first it was a, ‘Yo, what are you about’ kind of thing,” Ginn said. “As the season came to a start, we started to understand (one another), and now, we’re coming together and building our chemistry.” 

That chemistry will be key coming into arguably the biggest game any of these players have ever played in when the team takes on Legacy on a real NBA court. 

“I never thought I would play on an NBA court,” Ginn said. “Now, I get to cross that off on my bucket list. Probably not in front of a bunch of people, but I played on an NBA court. I can say that.” 

“It was very exciting when we found out we were playing there, so it gives us even more of a boost,” Hatter said. 

For Wright, it’s a chance to finally get a win there after playing at the Amway Center twice before with Windermere Prep. 

“It’s such a cool experience,” Wright said. “The court, the atmosphere, the surroundings — it’s such a special, cool thing to share. It’s something you’ll never get to do again. … The court is really big compared to what we’re used to, and seeing the Magic emblems is a big deal to the guys in this community. I definitely want to be able to get a win this time and love and appreciate that special moment with a (win).” 

Legacy 

After four close losses to start the season, the Legacy Charter Eagles are trying to find their footing. 

Their 3-5 record does not tell the full story with this team, according to head coach Emmanuel Flanders. Four of their five losses this season have been decided by fewer than four points. 

“It’s tough, but you’ve got to have your group understand that we’re right there; we just need to stop beating ourselves,” Flanders said. “It goes back to valuing every possession we get, not turning the basketball over, and ensuring that we can control such as our communication, energy, playing together and playing hard is there day in and day out. We do those (things), we win those games.” 

Senior Jayme Oliver leads the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game. He is one of three Legacy players averaging double digits this season, along with fellow seniors Tyreak Holgate and Colby McClure. 

Flanders said Oliver also has been an unsung leader for the Eagles. 

“He controls pace for us in a very good way,” he said. 

But the one thing about his team he said was that every player contributes something to every effort. 

“That’s the beauty of our team — everyone brings something different to the table,” Flanders said. “It’s just about bringing that all together as one, then we can be a tough team.”

Getting to play at the Amway Center against Horizon is a special treat for the team, especially for the seven seniors on the team, Flanders said, but it was one of many important games during the season. 

“Every game is important,” Flanders said. “I have a lot of respect for Coach Wright over at Horizon, and they have two guys that can flat-out go. He’s going to have a good game plan for them. We’ve just got to go in there and do what we do. As long as we do that, things will take care of themselves.” 

Fans who were lucky to get tickets are able to use their ticket as a two-for-one for the Magic’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans later that evening. Horizon and Legacy will play at 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, while the Magic take on the Pelicans at 7 that night.