The World-Famous Harlem Wizards took a trip to Norwood to play against Coakley Middle School Staff for a sold-out fundraising event in the Norwood High School gym on November 12th.
The hyped-up crowd had a very entertaining time cheering on the home team and watching the amazing stunts and plays by the Wizards.
The Harlem Wizards have a history going back to 1962 when the team first originated in New York City. According to the Harlem Wizards Website, the Wizards are a show basketball entity delivering wildly successful fundraiser events for schools and nonprofits. Last season alone, they played in over 450 communities across the USA while raising more than $3 million for schools and nonprofits. The Wizards have three rosters full of amazing talent, and Norwood was lucky enough to have the best of the best “Legends Unit” perform some very amazing tricks and entertainment.
The talented and entertaining Legends roster is made up of 7 players, talented basketball players who strive to give a great show to the audience. All these players had their individual athletic talents and entertainment skills but a standout was the manager, Jamel Thompson. Thompson lit the crowd up and brought the energy levels to an all-time high.
“Playing music and really speaking to the crowd gets the audience’s attention and allows them to get engaged,” said Thompson.
Thompson knows how to hype up the crowd and he was very successful the night the Harlem Wizards played. The rooting and the cheering in the crowd were indescribable. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and everyone in the stands enjoyed this performance from the Harlem Wizards.
Wizards player Tishsean Emmanuel, also known as the Fresh Prince is an extremely talented basketball player who played college basketball for SUNY Potsdam and Albany Tech. Emmanuel’s talents are endless.
The Fresh Prince himself said that he considers himself a “Jack of all trades.”
“Not really a trickster man, I’m just a Jack of all trades. If you need me to get some buckets, I’ll get some buckets. If you need me to dunk, I’ll do that. If you need me to shoot, whatever needs to get done,” Emmanuel said.
Other than the World-Famous Wizards roster making their fans happy, the CMS staff were making their fans excited, showing high excitement and energy towards the event. The CMS staff team included Captain Eileen Siegel, 6 Gold; Christine Dineen, 6 Blue; John Ruossos, 6 Blue; Joe McDonagh, 6 Gold; Julie Bayiates, 6 Gold; Allison Doliner, 6 Green; Madison Meaney, 6 Green; Courtney McDonough, 7 Blue; JJ Oliver, 7 Green; Mike Gearty, 7 Green; Ben Cogan, 7 Green; Sue Ryan, 8 Gold; Sarah Rubino, 8 Gold’ Chris Armour, 8 Green; Assistant Principal; John Greeley, Nurse; Danielle Flynn, PE; Paul Nimblett, PE; Mike Sullivan, Spanish; Alex Arone, PACS; Nate Webber, School Resource Officer; Geoff Beguma, Technology; Joe Sleeman, Balch Elementary School PE; Dan Hartery.
The CMS staff, with smiling faces, provided an amazing show and contribution to the event, and many fellow teachers and students had high hopes for their team and expressed their enjoyment.
“I’m very excited but nervous, I will definitely do my best and have fun. I think this event means a lot and the PTO does so many things to sponsor field trips, fundraisers, and just fun events for the kids to enjoy,” said math teacher Sarah Rubino.
“My staff team has got the biggest heart–maybe not the biggest size, but definitely the biggest heart. Most importantly, they are doing an amazing job raising money along with the PTO,” said CMS Principal Dr. Margo Fraczek
Sophomore Charlotte Siekeman enjoyed the show.
“I couldn’t stop watching the performance, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I loved every second of it,” she said.
