By Delaney Dine

This year the Harlem Wizards are visiting Bellbrook High School. Mr. Eckley, Bellbrook’s business manager, organized the event as a fundraiser this year.

The mission of the Harlem Wizards is similar to the Harlem Globetrotters: less focus on winning and more focus on cool tricks and entertainment.  The Harlem Wizards travel nationally to schools, organizations, and charity fundraisers. The Wizards play against the school and organization’s staff in a basketball game.

“All proceeds from the game go directly to BSEF [Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Educational Foundation],” Assistant Principal Heather Hebrank said. “I love that this event gives back in such a meaningful way to our students and teachers. The foundation provides teacher grants that truly enhance the learning experience for our students. We are so fortunate to have BSEF supporting our students and teachers!”

The fundraiser incorporates the entire district. Staff from Stephen Bell, Bellcreek Intermediate, Bellbrook Middle, and Bellbrook High are all playing in the game. “The Harlem Wizards will take on our very own Bellbrook Fastbreak team, made up of Bellbrook Sugarcreek teachers and staff members,” Hebrank said. “From Stephen Bell, Jenna Sandlund, Mitch McCurdy, Kaley Clark, Jason Davis, and I are participating.” 

The BCI staff participating are Ashlie Martin, Kamal Gregory, Josh Ward, Ty Waters, and Scott Anderson. The middle school has Scott Killen, Ari Warner, Lynzee Allen, Jason Tincher, Zach Guess, and Ben Trick. The high school staff playing are Perry Caldwell, Jeff Sampson, Daniel Rogers, Dave Kapka, and Stephanie Tomlin. Then the central office/transportation has superintendent Doug Cozad and tBridgett Pritchard playing.

“I love basketball,” BHS social studies teacher Perry Caldwell said. “I used to coach basketball, and I played basketball here. I think it’ll be fun to be out there on the basketball court playing with the other teachers and playing against guys who are really talented.” 

“The game is April 29 at 7:00,” BHS math teacher Jeff Sampson said. “They’ve been sending out links all over the place for the tickets. There are flyers all over the building, there’s a little QR code that you can just hold up, after school hours of course. Or go onto the Harlem Wizards website!”

“Doors open at 6:00 and the game starts at 7:00. We hope to see lots of people there!” Hebrank said.

Harlem Wizards Tickets