Inside Ford’s Garage, a popular burger spot in Noblesville, Indiana, the Middlesex Magic’s Hoop Group squad sat together for a team dinner, and a funny idea was born.
It was late May, and the Magic were in Indiana to play in the Midwest Jam Fest, one of several Hoop Group tournaments on the league’s calendar. The parents of the players sat at one table inside the restaurant, and head coach Lambros Papalambros sat with his team at the other.
Vibes were high for the Magic, who were playing well and took a 4-0 record home from this tournament. Papalambros, who has long hair and wears it in a ponytail, was suddenly the subject of a good-natured bet from his players.
“They said, ‘Coach, if we win the title, you have to chop your hair off,’” Papalambros recalled.
