BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) – Before Friday’s NCAA Women’s Sweet Sixteen games in Birmingham, fans had the chance to play around and get in the basketball spirit. Basketball fans tested their own arms out with lots of games set up in the Fan Zone outside Legacy Arena, but many say it means more than just having fun.

“It’s absolutely amazing as a mother to have her have these opportunities that I didn’t have growing up,” said Sasha Knight, a Maryland Terrapins fan.

Knight and her daughter Zandria came to Birmingham from Maryland to cheer on their team. As Zandria is a young basketball player herself, this trip is extra special for the Knights.

“The fact that when I grew up, we didn’t really have the WNBA, like it just started when I was graduating high school,” Knight said. “The fact that she gets to see women athletes at their highest level.”

Some visiting fans say Birmingham’s community stands out and makes this a great place for sporting events.

“Just the fact that people seem to be very into basketball,” said Knight. “This is insane, I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s very interactive and I think that there’s things for every person to do here at the tournament.”

Harry Williams is local to Birmingham and jumped at the chanced to watch women’s hoops with his daughter.

“I have a daughter who actually is involved in sports so she wanted to come out and see the game,” he said. “It means everything to me, it’s why we’re here, definitely. Just to give her inspiration and motivation and show her that girls rock.”

Basketball fans loved seeing the community support for the women’s tournament. Some say it’s great to see how little girls today are able to grow up with the newfound respect for women athletes.

“As women, sometimes we’re seen as timid or nonchalant but basketball shines on the part of a woman that is strong,” said Omega Buckner, a South Carolina Gamecocks fan visiting from Kentucky. “The tenacity, the determination, the grit, the aggressiveness that women can get the job done on and off the court.”

The Fan Zone will reopen at 10 a.m. Saturday, and people will be able to enjoy it until the second game starts Saturday afternoon.