While lost in a misty swamp, the gang gets the Mystery Machine stuck while trying to get away from a mysterious pursuer...which turns out to be the Harlem Globetrotters, en route to their latest game. With their transportation momentarily down, the two groups take refuge in a rundown hotel, despite warnings and sightings of a ghostly ship.
This episode includes examples of the following tropes:
- Accidental Kidnapping: Shaggy and Scooby fall through a trap door and land in a skiff that the pirates then take out into the swamp.
- Aside Comment: Meadowlark tricks Curly into "volunteering" to take the first watch while everybody else gets some sleep. Curly turns to the camera with a quip:Curly: Sometimes I wish Meadowlark would learn to keep my big mouth shut!
- Huddle Power: The Harlem Globetrotters suggest an impromptu basketball game with the gang to while away time in a deserted mansion. When they see the Trotters do their thing, Velma suggests a group huddle to plan a strategy against them. The Globetrotters also go into a huddle to remind each other to go easy on the "kids."
- Hypocritical Humor: The Globetrotters are lost in the swamp. Meadowlark suggests that they follow the Mystery Machine, as whoever is driving can't be silly enough to have gotten lost in a place like this.
- Idiot Ball: Both the Globetrotters and Mystery Inc fall hook, line, and sinker for the ludicrously fake-looking “ghost crew” the Ghost of Redbeard pulls out. Twice.
- Just a Kid: The two groups decided to play basketball for fun. The Globetrotters said they would go easy on Mystery Inc since they're only kids. They change their minds when Scooby easily gets the ball and scores a basket.Looks like these kids got tricks of their own...
- Mercy Lead: The gang and the team are holed up in a decrepit old mansion. To while away the time, they play a game of basketball to ten points. The Trotters spot Scooby and the kids eight points. They score, giving them ten, only for the Globetrotters to tie it on a single play (having the ball bounce five times in their basket).
- Palette Swap: The Ghost of Redbeard in this episode uses the same character model as the Ghost of Redbeard from the original series episode "Go Away Ghost Ship" except colored all white.
- Short Cuts Make Long Delays: The Globetrotters end up lost thanks to one of Meadowlark's "shortcuts."
- Trail Of Breadcrumbs: When Shaggy and Scooby end up in a boat the pirates are using, Shaggy uses a trail of Scooby Snacks to let the others know where they're going. Fred, Daphne, Velma, and the Globetrotters run into trouble with catfish eating the snacks and they reach the end of the line still not having found Shaggy and Scooby.
- Undercover Cop Reveal: "Swampy Pete", the hermit who warns the gang and the Globetrotters away, turns out to be a harbor patrol officer who's been on the case for some time. He thanks the gang for capturing Redbeard and gets them and the Globetrotters to the game on time partially as thanks.
