This past week, the world-famous Harlem Wizards visited William Floyd and put on a show for everyone in attendance. The Wizards are a professional basketball team that is much more than your normal pass-and-shoot style of play. They are a theatrically minded, high-flying and fun-filled group that puts the wow factor back into the game. The Wizards took on teams from Tangier Smith Elementary School, John S. Hobart Elementary School and the William Floyd Learning Center to help raise funds for the schools’ PTOs.
During the game, the Wizards thrilled the crowd with unique skills, tricks, alley-oops and slam dunks, while also keeping fans laughing with their comedy routines. The event featured a “Wiz-Kids” introduction and pregame activities, interactive player introductions, a halftime game of musical chairs with volunteers from the audience, autographs, giveaways, raffles and more. To wrap up the night’s festivities, the Wizards invited everyone in the gym onto the court to participate in a celebratory dance party. You will not see that at your typical Knicks or Nets game.
The William Floyd rosters included administrators, faculty and staff members from each participating school. Representing Hobart were Mr. Virgona, Mr. Abbene, Mr. Diaz, Ms. Fehmel, Ms. Mastrup, Ms. Prestia, Mr. Roldan, Mrs. Spencer, Mrs. Wallace, Mr. Young and Mr. Carey, who served as the team’s coach. Tangier Smith was represented by Mr. Ciliotta, Mr. Slinkosky, Mr. Melandro, Ms. Romero, Mr. Paniccia, Mr. Scudero, Mr. Rode, Mr. DeChiaro, Mrs. Clark and Mr. Germer. The William Floyd Learning Center roster featured Mr. Bretton, Mrs. Prestia, Ms. Gonzalez, Mr. Delince, Mr. Kimmerling and Mr. Cook.
Everyone in attendance was able to enjoy the spectacle of the Harlem Wizards and cheer on their school teams against the fun-filled group. The Wizards will be visiting other Suffolk County schools later this basketball season.