Singing, dancing and a game of baseball are not things you’d typically expect to see at a basketball game. But the Harlem Wizards game at Hicksville High School on March 31 was no ordinary match up. The fundraiser basketball game was a faceoff that gathered students, parents and faculty from Fork Lane and Hicksville High School, pitting the the Fork Lane Falcons against the Harlem Wizards. Playing for the Falcons, Fork Lane faculty, including teachers and aides, made their way around the court, greeting their excited students, who flooded the stands of the gymnasium with their parents.
Upon first entering the school, attendees had the opportunity to purchase candy and Wizards gear, and down the hall, fifth-grade mothers and volunteers from Fork Lane held a bake sale.
“Last year, we raised over $5,500. It was a huge turnout,” said former Fork Lane PTA President Daniela Manco, who helped coordinate last year’s event.
Bringing in the Wizards was not an immediate need initially, but after hearing about a successful fundraiser at East Meadow, Manco felt that it would be a great way for Fork Lane to earn some much needed funds. “It’s a lot of fun for kids and parents,” she said.
Much of the entertainment came from the interaction between DJ Swiv and front man Swoop, who kept the crowd laughing, singing and moving to the music of the night.
“Where else are you going to get to hang out with a six-foot-seven player after he just slam dunked,” DJ Swiv said. “What makes us different from other events is that we really interact with people. You can come up here and hang with us.”
Swiv has been the host of Harlem Wizards events for five years; however, the legacy of the team has reigned for nearly 53 years.
“It’s really a great thing,” Swiv continued. “We tour all around the world, but we’ll play anywhere: high school gyms, charity and corporate events—we’ve played at Madison Square Garden, too.”
The players added to the zaniness of the night by dressing up in silly outfits, performing spectacular slam-dunks and pulling audience members up to play with the team. By the end of the event, no child went without some sort of interaction with the Wizards. Everyone had a chance to get an autograph at the end of the event, dribble with the players, and even take ‘selfies’ in the stands with teammates.
“I love how they get the audience really into it,” said Fork Lane physical educator Rich Hinnerschietz. “Everyone is a part of the show.”
Before the end of the show, Swoop called out the audience to go onto the court for a giant dance party. The players shook, shimmied and ended the night with a blast from a confetti cannon.
“This is such a great way to bring out the community,” said Fork Lane principal Chris Scardino. “It raises so much money for the school and our events for the year. And what’s great is seeing how good of a time the kids have—the parents too!”
The Harlem Wizards will be hosting a fundraising event for Lee Avenue later this year. For more information about the Harlem Wizards organization visit www.harlemwizards.com.
