The idea of St. John the Baptist Parish youngsters walking on the basketball court at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans seems pretty cool.

That is part of the promotion put on by the New Orleans Pelicans and the St. John the Baptist Parish Parks and Recreation Department set for this Friday.

Parish adults and children are invited to attend St. John Night at the arena, when the Pelicans battle the Miami Heat at 7 p.m.

Ticket packages are discounted, local officials said, starting at $19.

Parish youth can access the court after the game for photos and will also be presented with trophies.

It’s a pretty cool deal, offering local children an up close and personal view of some of the best athletes in the country.

There is no doubt the game could have been better, had injuries not robbed the Pelicans of stars Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson in the week before the conest.

However, the game does offer a first hand view of NBA basketball, which should be a heck of an enticement for local children who know so many stories already of St. John youth turning their exploits on local fields of play into professional sports careers.

“The Department of Parks and Recreation continues to invest in non-traditional experiences for our youth, and we encourage the entire community to show its parish pride and join us for this unique athletic engagement,” Parks and Recreation Director Kerry Watkins said.

For ticket inquiries or to sponsor tickets for students, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 985-652-9569 or visit the office at 200 Regala Park Road in Reserve.

Tickets can also be purchased at the discounted rate online at pelicans.com/groups/ticketpass.