Bedford Teachers Bring Their Game Against Wizards in Charity Event
The Bedford Central School District opened its doors for a unique basketball showdown Sunday afternoon. On the home team were several teachers and administrators; on the other squad there were six-foot-plus tall professional basketball players.
The BCSD Basketball Bash featured the Harlem Wizards, taking trick shots and making slam dunks to the delight of the sold out crowd at the Fox Lane High School gym. In between shots, Wizard players engaged the audience, bringing kids onto the court for a chance to win prizes and even pulling an adult out of the bleachers for a dance. Several lucky students had the opportunity to become honorary members of the Wizards, donning jerseys and warming up with the team before game time.
The Harlem Wizards travel around the country playing charity games similar to Sunday’s match at Fox Lane, helping to fundraise for much-needed educational programs and equipment, including smart boards, playgrounds and athletic programs. Bronx native and team member Eric “Broadway” Jones said that while raising money is important, the real reward is watching the children enjoy the game.
“As a kid I grew up playing basketball and for somebody to be out there appreciating my God-given talent, it’s just a blessing for me to be able to go out there and entertain,” he said.
Organizers for the Basketball Bash projected the event raised about $6,800, which will be shared among the district’s five elementary schools. Andrea Cicchelli, a fifth-grade teacher at West Patent Elementary School, said she hopes to see it used for athletic equipment or other events for students.
Cicchelli joked that her only real experience playing basketball has been with her son because she was always too short to play on teams. But she was excited to volunteer her time for the game because it was a great community-building event.
“Anything that will bring the kids and families, and lets us all be together for one day, is terrific,” she said.
Many of the teachers noted that one of the best parts of the event for the children is getting the opportunity to see their teachers in a different setting; acting silly and getting shown up by the Wizards.
“Absolutely [watching us] making a fool of ourselves is the best part for the kids,” said Cicchelli.
Laurianne Hart, a second-grade teacher at Pound Ridge Elementary School, said she expected to hear a few good-natured jokes from students about her on-court performance when she returned to class on Monday morning.
“It’s for a good cause and I love playing basketball so I thought it would be fun and exciting for everyone,” she said. “It’s all good fun for the kids.”
Although many of the teachers may have been at a disadvantage when it came to experience and height, they were able to hold their own on the court, making several baskets. Jones noted that Wizards players will often take it easy on the teachers because, ultimately, having fun is more important than the outcome.
“You just never know what the talent level is going to be so we just adapt and adjust and, more importantly, you want them to have a good time because they volunteered their time,” he said.
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