The Harlem Wizards basketball team delivered high-energy entertainment for the more than 550 people who packed the Ramona High School gym for a fundraiser benefiting Olive Peirce Middle School’s PTSA.
With 507 tickets sold, the event raised $7,000, said Dianna Edwards, the PTSA president and event coordinator.
The Harlem Wizards, known for their unique blend of athleticism, comedy and crowd interaction, had the audience laughing, cheering and often out of their seats. But the night wasn’t just about the Wizards, it also showcased a team of Olive Peirce and Ramona Unified School District staff, as well as community members who took to the court to face off against the visiting entertainers.
Music played throughout the event, featuring remixes of classic basketball jams that kept the crowd engaged. The R-Town team of 17 players took to the court for warm-ups before the game.
The Harlem Wizards delivered fast-paced tricks, creative ball-handling, and humorous antics that had the audience laughing and cheering during the April 23 fundraising event for Olive Peirce Middle School at Ramona High School. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
R-Town basketball team members, bottom row from left, Jacob Moser, Dianna Edwards, Marc Boykins, Lindsay Benedetto and Austin Schultz. Top row from left, Don Wiseman, Israel Orozco, Melissa Porter, Nicole Brown, Jessica Dugdale, Christian Hicks, Zack Olow, Jonathan Sclar, Jacob Graham, Shane Helmich and Candin Spooner. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
Ramona High School varsity basketball players Eric Lopez and Bryce Corbin were the game referees for the Harlem Wizards game on April 23 in the Ramona High School gym. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
Event volunteers (top row) Heather Weissmann, Dianna Edwards, Patti Selbrede, Stacey Alcorn, Allison McLoughlin, Kirsten Calkins and Miles Gunnet. Bottom row: Donna Burton, Danielle Vialpando and Missy Ferguson assisted with evening activities and merchandise sales during the Harlem Wizards game. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
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The Harlem Wizards delivered fast-paced tricks, creative ball-handling, and humorous antics that had the audience laughing and cheering during the April 23 fundraising event for Olive Peirce Middle School at Ramona High School. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
Participants included Lindsay Benedetto, OPMS principal; Edwards; OPMS teachers Jonathan Sclar, Jacob Graham, Jessica Dugdale, Jacob Moser, Melissa Porter, Shane Helmic and Nicole Brown. Other team members included Luis Leal, custodial; Marc Boykins, R-Town team coach and Ramona High security; Christian Hicks of Hanson Lane Elementary School; Zack Olow of James Dukes Elementary School; Don Wiseman, a district music teacher; Israel Orozco of Frye Mechanical; the Rev. Austin Schultz, pastor of North Coast Church; and Candin Spooner of North Coast Church.
The game was refereed by Ramona High varsity basketball players Bryce Corbin and Eric Lopez, with Terra Davis, the school’s administrative assistant to athletics, serving as scorekeeper.
“I was blown away from the amount of support we had for this event,” Edwards said. “It started with the sponsors, the R-Town home team players, Ramona Unified School District, my amazing volunteers, and the crowd.
“Looking at the crowd from the home team bench made my heart full and eyes tear,” she said.
Ramona High School security head Marc Boykins defends a Harlem Wizards player as he pushes the ball up the court in fast-break action. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
The winner of the halftime shootout was Maddison Hamilton, a sixth-grade student from Hanson Elementary School. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
Olive Pierce Middle School teachers Jessica Dugdale, Nicole Brown and Melissa Porter team up to block a pass from a Harlem Wizards player during the April 23 game at Ramona High School. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
The event would not have been possible without community sponsors, including Frye Mechanical Heating and Air Conditioning and Sun Valley Action Sports, whose support helped make the night a success, organizers said. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
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Ramona High School security head Marc Boykins defends a Harlem Wizards player as he pushes the ball up the court in fast-break action. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
Between quarters, the action didn’t slow down. Giveaways in the stands added another layer of excitement. The halftime festivities included an autograph session and a friendly shoot-off competition, where five students were selected to sprint from the half-court line, make a basket, and race back to claim a seat.
With each round, one player and chair were eliminated. The final winner was Maddison Hamilton, a Hanson Elementary School sixth-grader.
“When I first got called up for the halftime show, I was really nervous because there were so many people watching me, but then I realized that it was just a game so I tried my best to beat the boys and I won and it was the best feeling ever,” Maddison said.
When the final buzzer sounded, the Wizards had defeated the R-Town team 84 to 70. But the energy in the gym remained high as fans left smiling and talking about their favorite moments.