Steckevicz was the Site of Tricks and Antics Friday Night
February 23, 2018
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- Staff photo by Len Lathrop
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- Staff photo by Len Lathrop Chef David Bressler returns to the bench after being introduced. His teammates are Scott Baker, Erin Mitchell, Tom Langer, SRO Jason Downey, Seth Garon, Eric Crivac, Tom Sullivan, Jeff Bourque, Rebecca Leary, Stefanie Rodriguez, Karissa Stefanou, and team captain Keith Bowen.
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- Staff photo by Len Lathrop For Stefanie Rodriguez #10, it’s a tall task to take instructions from the towering Swoop Simpson.
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- Staff photo by Len Lathrop When Karissa Stefanou became a student teacher for third grade at Hills Garrison this year, little did she know she would be skipping down the court holding hands with a Wizard.
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- Staff photo by Len Lathrop One would think that Principal Beals would have learned by now that the referee takes a lot of abuse during a Wizards’ game.
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- Staff photo by Len Lathrop Jackson Mercer, a third grader at Hills Garrison School, got a lift from Number 000 Dwayne “Swoop” Simpson and the crew of the Wizards.
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- Staff photo by Len Lathrop Chef Dave Bressler shows some form with a layup.
by Len Lathrop
Started in 1962 and now celebrating five decades of wizardry, the Wizards brought their show, a basketball entity that delivers wildly successful fundraiser events for schools and nonprofits, to Hudson. Last season alone, the Wizards played in more than 400 communities across the USA, while raising over $2 million.
What makes a Wizards’ show “awe-inspiring? ” Some say it’s the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ created by the thunderous, sky-high slams. For others it’s the humor and seeing the Hudson teachers being good sports and having fun on the court with the Wizards. The comedy, the audience participation, including selfies and dance contests, and many, many small people on the court running with the very tall professional athletes all put smiles on the faces of both young and old alike.
Dwayne “Swoop” Simpson, a former Globetrotter showman, led the action Friday night. He was joined by James “The Roadrunner” Tyndal who is fast enough to dribble through New York City traffic. These were two of the five who graced the Alvirne High hardwood. Roscoe “Sarge” Johnson’s 360-degree backboard-shattering dunk in a Wizards game was shown on ESPN’s Dunks of the Week online and has had more than 100,000 views.
As in past years, Alvirne Principal Steve Beals donned the official striped shirt to try to manage, well, almost nothing. But he did not sell anyone shoes even though he was referred to as a Foot Locker employee.
Playing for the home team were Chef David Bressler, Scott Baker, Erin Mitchell, Tom Langer, SRO Jason Downey, Seth Garon, Eric Crivac, Tom Sullivan, Jeff Bourque, Rebecca Leary, Stefanie Rodriguez, Karissa Stefanou, and team captain Keith Bowen.
