Groton educators take on Harlem Wizards Dec. 2

Teachers and administrators representing every school in town will take on the Harlem Wizards in a fundraiser to benefit the Groton Education Foundation on Friday, Dec. 2.

The comedic basketball game will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Fitch Senior High School gym; doors open at 5:30. The local team – the GEF A+ All-Stars – will be managed and coached by Superintendent Mike Graner. Players represent the following schools:

Charles Barnum: Seth Danner, Laura Luna
S.B. Butler: Ben DeMario, Katie Whitten
Claude Chester: Jamie Giordano, Kerry Carter
Mary Morrisson: Harry Esposito
Northeast Academy: Stephanie Wheeler, Dave Henderson
Pleasant Valley: Elena Lockett, Lauren Hunter, Dave Sabilla
Catherine Kolnaski: Mike Mariano, Ben Moon
Cutler Middle School: Kathy Wilson, Kevin Mazzarella, Ryan McGee
West Side Middle School: Lisa Lambert,Tara Jones, Jeff Kotecki, Chad Fleming, Rick Murallo
Fitch Senior High School: Kathryn Mazzarella

Groton Utilities is the lead sponsor; the Groton branch of CorePlus Credit Union and the Groton Education Association are team sponsors. Chelsea Groton Bank, the Groton Lodge of Elks #2163, the Groton Inn & Suites, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Southeastern New England and Galaxy Roller Rink are fan sponsors.

General admission is $10 for students and $12 for adults at the door; $8 and $10 in advance. Reserved seats, with up-close seating and a free Harlem Wizards poster, are $20. Courtside Plus seats include an opportunity to meet the Wizard players and warm up with them for $25.

General admission tickets are available at Groton Utilities (in the City Municipal Building at 295 Meridian St.) and at all local schools. They can also be purchased online at www.harlemwizards.com. Reserved and courtside tickets are only available online.

The GEF supports educational innovation and excellence in Groton; it awarded more than $15,000 in grants to local teachers in 2015.

Last year the Wizards played more than 450 games across the U.S., raising over $2.5 million and playing in front of 350,000 fans.