Here are some pics of the Opening Night wondrous victory over the Sacramento Kings, 93-67, before a sellout crowd of 19,163 (paid attendance ... I noticed a few small blocks of un-personed seats, but just a few). A couple of other pics of the Bees are posted in thier picture area.

National Anthem by Waymon Tisdale, OU Star ... great guitar by Waymon backed up by some classy musicians

http://www.dougloudenback.com/hornets/openingnight.tisdale.jpg

... and some "welcome" remarks by Desmond Mason, OSU star

http://www.dougloudenback.com/hornets/openingnight.mason.jpg

But, Let's Get Ready To Rumble ... enough, already, let's play BALL!

http://www.dougloudenback.com/hornets/openingnight.playball.jpg

While there was the usual finger pointing ...

http://www.dougloudenback.com/hornets/openingnight.hedidit.jpg

... the Hornets literally flew around the helpless Kings ...

http://www.dougloudenback.com/hornets/openingnight.flying.jpg

... and hit their shots!

http://www.dougloudenback.com/hornets/openingnight.initgoes.jpg

And, the score at the end was ...

http://www.dougloudenback.com/hornets/openingnight.finalscore.jpg

It was a fun and memorable night. I wish everynight downtown could be so packed. The streets were alive and happening. The sad thing is 30 mins after the game, downtown was almost dead. The festival and music was still going on along the canal but other than that most of the Bricktown clubs and restaurants were closed and little foot traffic. If this is going to work we need the restaurants to stay open later on game nights. IHOP, Sonic and a few others will not support thousands of people and create a great after game atmosphere.

http://images.snapfish.com/3453%3B86723232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E2325%3D949%3D%3C5%3A %3DXROQDF%3E2323%3B%3B2733784ot1lsi

What did you think of the Buzzfest? It was pretty deserted from 3-5pm... this pic was about 4pm - that was disappointing but the only thing going on was $4 beer and a band - no seats, no vendors, nothing at all to do. I had appetizers and beer ( Happy Hour 2 for 1 special - $2.75 a beer 1/2 price) at Daddy Hinkles just so I could support the local restaurants. I thought it would be extremely packed but it wasn't. We went to Hooters afterward and that wasn't packed either.

Of course, they all got much more business than they would normally on any other weeknight.

The weekend games will be when Bricktown will really gets packed.