By Steven Zaitz
Hundreds of smiling faces, young and old, braved the cold to gather at Smithtown High School East Monday night to experience the dazzling spectacle of the Harlem Wizards Basketball show.
More entertainment than competition, the athletic and comedic troupe, who have names such as Sky-Rise, Jumping Jack, Big J, and Road Runner, wowed the crowd with a mixture of high-flying dunks, ball spinning, break dancing, showmanship and good-natured fun, as MC and ringleader U GoBoy egged on the Wizards to cause mayhem with all who dared to enter – or even stumbled unwittingly – into their playful path.
The team of players/performers ran layup drills, conducted a dance contest for the moms only, all the while signing autographs on balls, hats, and shirts whenever asked.
For an extra treat, the students in the crowd got to see the Wizards dunk on – and run circles around – their very own teachers. Faculty members from Dogwood Elementary, Saint James Elementary and Nesaquake Middle School took turns trying to keep up with the Wizards sky-scraping slams and quick-dribbling chicanery.
Dogwood principal Renee Carpenter served as the ceremonial referee, but after the opening tap, did not blow her whistle very much. Nesaquake principal Dan McCabe and St. James Elementary principal Adam Javidi played for Smithtown side, as did a dozen or so teachers from the three schools.
The event, which was also held in 2023, was organized by Smithtown PTA President Brittany McGrath. She got the idea from her son Dylan, who is a fifth grader at St. James Elementary.
“Dylan saw the Wizards on Instagram and he is a big basketball fan, so we thought this would be a great idea,” said McGrath. “The kids have a lot of fun and all the money we raise goes back to the schools to help fund programs.”
Last year, the Wizards helped raise about $10,000, and judging by the capacity crowd on this cold January night, that number could easily be matched or surpassed.
Austin Black, a second grader at Dogwood Elementary, got his basketball signed by Jumping Jack at halftime.
“I’m so happy that the Wizards came to our town,” said Black, who watched his teacher, Miss Ferolito, compete against the Wizards. “It entertains the kids and gives us a great night of alley-oops, tricks and dunks.”
There were many dunks and tricks by the visiting team, and although nobody—except maybe McGrath, who was designated official scorekeeper—was really counting, the Wizards came out on top, beating the Smithtown Teachers 88-76.
“We’ll get ‘em next year,” McGrath said.
