Harlem Wizards take on High Point

By Viktoria-Leigh Wagner
SUSSEX — The Harlem Wizards recently traveled to High Point High School and faced off against parents and teachers to raise money for scholarships at the high school.

The event was organized by the school's Wildcat Booster Club, a parent-led organization that supports sporting events at the school. Valerie Gallagher, president of the booster club, said she got involved because her son played sports at High Point. She helped bring The Wizards to High Point on April 10.

“We fundraise for athletic matters normally not covered in the budget,” said Gallagher. “We give out $500 scholarships each year and the money from the event tonight is going to go directly to scholarships for our students.”

Gallgher said the booster club started organizing the event in August of last year but had to postpone game day because of Hurricane Irene.

Booster club secretary Sharon Gratale said she joined because her daughters played sports at High Point as well. “This event is important because we are raising money for the children,” said Gratale. “I presented it to the club and it voted unanimously ‘yes.’”

Community reaction
Ross Schafer, 5, of Frankford, attended the event with his mom and High Point English teacher Jill Schafer. “The player Shane taught me to spin the ball on my head," said Ross. "I liked when he slam-dunked and hung on the net. He put his feet on the board!”

Also among the audience was Amanda Craig, 10, and sister Skylar Craig, 7. Their father, Kevin Craig, coached the community basketball team Amanda played on this year. Skylar, who plays on the "Drills and Skills" recreational team, said, “My favorite part was when they danced to the ‘Harlem Shake.’”

A word from the players
Derek “Downtown” Braxton, 31, is from Paterson. He's been a basketball player since the age of 11 and a Wizard since 2009. “I love the sport. I played street ball and in college,” Braxton said.

Braxton said the Wizards work and play well together. “Our team has great chemistry — we’re like a family." He also said that being on The Wizards is the best thing that's ever happened to him. “I get to give back to my fans — what more could you possibly want?”

Braxton said the Wizards travel to about 6-7 schools a week and occasionally play double-headers.

Shane “The Dribbling Machine” Woney is from the Bronx, New York. “This is my fourth year with the Wizards, but I started doing basketball shows in 1991. I’ve done video games, TV shows, and I’ve been around the world two times," said Woney. “When I was a little older than Ross, the Wizards came to visit me in school. I said, ‘Look at those clowns!’ Now, I’m a part of those clowns!”

John “Big J” Smith, 31, is from Queens, New York. A Wizard since 2011, this is his third season playing on the team. “After playing overseas for six years, I came back home and heard about the Wizards from a friend,” said Smith. “The head show man, Claude “Tojo” Henderson, has been with the Wizards since 1967. I played against him when I graduated high school in a summer camp I worked at."

Final score
High Point Principal Thomas Costello, a basketball fan himself, played as a member of the parent/staff team against The Wizards. “It was very entertaining,” said Costello, “and lots of fun.”

By the end of the game the score was 92-102 — with The Wizards emerging victorious.