The Harlem Wizards Challenge Rockin’ Redwings in Fundraiser Game

Hoboken got ready to rumble as the Harlem Wizards stopped by  on Thursday night to challenge the Rockin’ Redwings (a motley crew of students, teachers and city officials) to an epic game of basketball and more than a few ball spinning tricks.

The Harlem Wizards were formed in 1962 as a show basketball team, much like the Harlem Globetrotters. They tour the country, playing games at K-12 and high schools, colleges, or holding fundraisers, like last night’s game. A portion of the ticket sales (which cost between $10-15) and Wizards merchandise sales went to each HHS class, according to event planner Judy Burrell.

 Though there were strong winds and heavy rain outside, the HHS gymnasium was packed with about 300 basketball fans, all out to support the home team.

The 31 Redwings were introduced, and met the six Wizards they would be up against: Dwayne “Swoop” Simpson, Ron “Skycam” Ferguson, Arthur “King Arthur” Lewis, Timothy “Tomohawk” Stukes, Ivan “I-95” Evans, and Donnie “Smooth” Seale. Truth be told, they towered over the Redwings.

Student Gabrielle Fredericks opened the game with the national anthem, and then it was on.

The Redwing’s starting line up, which included Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Carmelo Garcia, Executive Director of the Housing Authority, along with school staffers, managed to score 8 points to the Wizards’ 12. At one point, Zimmer was up against King Arthur (who, at 5-foot-9 was the shortest Wizard), and didn’t let up on the defense. She even scored! The hearts of Hobokenites swelled with pride. 

The Redwings switched players, and the teachers took the court, scoring a few more points to bring the game to 14-22. Still, the Wizards were literally slam-dunking over their heads.

Steve D’Bernado, a ninth grade History teacher at HHS said playing against the Wizards (and scoring!) was “incredible.”

“When they stand next to you, you’re up to their knees,” he laughed. “It makes you feel small.”

Dana Couzens, a Special Education teacher, was the MVP of the first half, scoring eight points. The former assistant coach of the HHS girls’ basketball team said she was “happy to be back on the court.”

“They look big off the court, but they look even bigger on the court,” Couzens said of the Wizards.

By halftime, the score was 36 to 49, but the Wizards threw the Redwings a bone and bumped their score up to 69. Is this how cocky they were in their abilities to win. 

“They’re so big, but it’s fun,” said Julia Rodriguez, 17, a Redwings team member. “And it’s so funny, the tricks they do.”

“We’re just working together, trying to score,” said Madellyn Rodriguez, 18.

Back on the court, it wasn’t long until the Wizards made up their points defecit (c’mon, not even Shaquille O’Zimmer could beat a team who’s traveled across the country, undefeated). The final score was 87-106, in favor of the Wizards.

“I was just excited to make a basket!” Zimmer said. When asked if she snuck into the gym at night to get in some extra practice, she said she just came a bit earlier that night to throw some practice shots.

“It was an awesome experience, especially having the students cheering you on,” said Garcia, also mentioning that 80 tickets for the game were donated to the HHA. 

“They told us don’t go in there and pretend you’re in college again, just have fun,” Garcia said, on how he prepped for the game.

Afterwards, the Wizards and the Redwings shook hands, before the Wizards signed autographs and posed for photos.

“It’s nice to see students and teachers together outside of the classroom. Everyone was equal on that court tonight,” said Burrell, after the game.