Wizards delight at benefit game

The Harlem Wizards play a charity basketball game to help raise money for the Allentown and Upper Freehold Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

By: Jillian Nelson
   UPPER FREEHOLD — The Harlem Wizards made their second appearance at Allentown High School on Saturday for a charity basketball game to help raise money for the Allentown and Upper Freehold Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
   With April being the National Alcohol Awareness Month, members of the Alliance said the game seemed like a fun and appropriate way to get the community involved in the organization. Joanne Shuh, director of the Alliance, said between 500 and 600 people attended the event Saturday night.
   "The feedback was very positive. Everyone had a good time," Ms. Shuh said. "Kids are constantly exposed to beer ads when they attend games at other venues. This gives the kids an alternative for them to see games in a safe and fun environment without drugs or alcohol."
   The Harlem Wizards are a professional entertainment basketball team based in Harlem that performs for schools around the country. The players incorporate comedy, their outgoing personalities and extreme basketball skills, like "trick-hoops" and acrobatic slams, during their performances.
   The Wizards’ opponent Saturday was the Community April Fools, a team made up of local students, teachers, law enforcement, and members of the Alliance and Allentown High School’s Lifesaver’s Club, an in-school drug and alcohol prevention program.
   The game began with the Wizards showing off their skills, while Allentown High School senior Scott Anacker hit some eye-catching three-pointers. Throughout the game the Wizards cracked jokes, played music and brought the crowd into the game. Children from the community sat on the sidelines in amazement at the Wizards’ tricks and skills.
   Clenching a Wizards ball he got as a souvenir from the game, 9-year-old Upper Freehold resident Aiden Pignataro said, "The game was great, I like the Wizards the best. They are really funny and real good at basketball."
   At halftime, the Wizards welcomed children from the audience to participate in a competition. Each child who participated got a poster signed by the Wizards.
   After the game the Wizards had an autograph signing session where fans could talk to players from both teams.
   "Playing for the Wizards is different than any other team," said David Paul, 24, who has been with the Wizards for the past two seasons. "We get to interact with the crowd and see how excited the kids get when they see the game."
   Players from both teams said they were honored to be helping the Alliance. The fans wanted to help as well. Even the winner of the 50/50 donated the money back to the Alliance.
   The amount of money raised from the event had not been determined earlier this week. The funds will be used to support the Alliance’s various community programs.