Elementary School staff take on the Harlem Wizards
CENTER TWP. — Center Township Elementary School staff schooled the Harlem Wizards basketball team in a Saturday night matchup at a fundraising event that packed stands.
In an effort to raise more than $10,000 for a rock climbing wall in the school gym, Center Township’s Parent Teacher Organization invited the traveling basketball team to an event in Butler Senior High School gym.
The six-player basketball team is known for its showmanship and talent on the court, and this was evidenced in their game against the 23 Center Township staff members.
Theresa Cherry, principal of Center Township, said this fundraiser was the first of its kind. The PTO hoped to raise the funds for the rock climbing wall in one night.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun, it’s more about having fun and entertaining,” she said during the team warm up. “We’ve been practicing every Thursday since December.”
According to Tia Gelles, president of the PTO, the staff members volunteered to be on the team.
Cherry said her entire team was in it for the fun and the experience.
“I hope people take away that the teachers are all in for their students all the time,” she said.
More than 1,000 tickets were sold, and students and parents packed the stands.
Throughout the game, the Wizards performed sidesplitting gags and mind-boggling ball tricks, all while being good teammates to the teachers. There were frequent intermissions where the players would interact with the crowd or dance to the music.
The crowd reacted with claps, uproarious cheers, and even the wave.
Alisha Stephenson, of Butler, said she attended on Saturday to watch a friendly game.
“Usually these type of things are really funny,” she said. “I enjoy basketball.”
The Bushre family said they wanted to support the children’s teachers in the fundraising efforts.
“We want to see the basketball tricks, laugh and be entertained and be wowed by the Wizards,” mother Kathryn Bushre said.
Her daughter, Aleeya, 10, won a prize for playing a game with one of the Wizard teammates.
“It’s a great opportunity for our kids to support the district,” Kathryn added.
James Tyndal, of the Wizards, said he’s going into his 13th season with the team, and he enjoys seeing the joy in people’s faces at the games.
“The kids, you’re gonna see their excitement,” he said. “I think we need excitement, and that’s what we bring.”
After an incredibly close game, the Harlem Wizards took home 109 points to 80 from Center Township. The real winners were the PTO members, who reached their goal of 1,000 tickets sold.
