The Harlem Wizards graced North Bergen High School’s basketball court last week and played against a team composed of the district’s teachers. The Wizards overwhelmingly defeated the teachers, who were individually lampooned by an announcer as “the last member of Menudo,” “J-Lo,” and “Britney Spears,” but for a good cause.

Through $10 tickets and concession stand sales, the high school raised $3,000 for Project Graduation, a celebration that keeps kids inside after graduation rather than on the streets.

North Bergen received 40 percent of the proceeds, with the Wizards collecting the rest.

The game on Jan. 22 drew several hundred people, including students from the high school and numerous grammar schools.

Some enjoyed seeing their teachers get “crushed,” as high school teacher David La Tour said during the faculty’s warm up.

“This is fantastic,” said La Tour. “The best thing about this is how excited the kids get. All of the [Wizards], instead of coming here to just play the game, spent the whole day in the schools. They started off at the grammar schools [and] the kids were clinging and climbing all over them, so excited to meet them.”

La Tour was impressed that even with a troubled economy, the township’s residents overwhelmingly showed their support.

Jason Fuentes, a fifth grade teacher from Kennedy School on the home team, agreed that the fundraiser was a success.

“[My students are] excited for tomorrow, actually, so they can poke fun at me,” said Fuentes.

Alumni brings in Wizards

When Marija Kero recently got a job as a NYC/New Jersey sales representative for the Wizards, she thought that Project Graduation could benefit from a Wizards’ game. Kero remembered how much effort the students and teachers put into planning the event.

“It’s a special feeling,” Kero said about bringing the show to her alma mater.

The members of the Wizards have travelled across the world.

“It’s a joy because these little kids, they look up to us,” said Rashaan “Rocket” Barner, a player who was first discovered five years ago while shooting hoops for William Paterson University. “They can reach out and touch us. On the NBA level, you really can’t see those guys.”

Arnold “A-Train” Bernard, another player who has been with the team for eight years, said that putting smiles on the children’s faces was what their job was about.

“What makes us different from everyone else is most of the games we play are fundraisers,” said Bernard, who explained that during their peak season they often play six to nine games a week.

Bernard said his career had brought him around the world.

“I’ve had dinner with Nelson Mandela,” said Bernard. “I’ve met the queen, so I’ve been a lot of places and met a lot of famous people.”

Students stoked

During the game, players routinely jumped into the stands, while young children occasionally wandered onto the court.

“The kids can relate to us,” said Wizard David “DP” Paul. “They can reach out and touch us. We can be intimate with them.”

Betty Mendieta, who teaches physical education from kindergarten through eighth grade at Lincoln School, along with coaching junior varsity basketball at the high school, said that the event was “awesome” as she warmed up.
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“I think this is a total crowd pleaser.” – Jason Gonzalez
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“I’m a product of North Bergen, and this is [one of the few] times this has been done,” she said.

Senior Class President Kelly Anne Kratz said that she thought that their hard work in organizing had paid off. She was proud that the basketball game brought the district together.

“This is the best event we ever had in the school of this magnitude,” said Senior Class Secretary Jason Gonzalez. “I think this is a total crowd pleaser.”

Community organizing

North Bergen High School Principal Paschal Tennaro said that the local Applebee’s on Tonnelle Avenue, along with parents, donated food to be served at Vice Principal Thomas Liggio’s concession stand. Teachers, police officers, and students donated their time for the last two months, Tennaro said.

“The [parents have] donated their services and goods for one common purpose, to make the kids have a great time, keep them off of the streets, and bring the community into the high school so they find out that this is a leading high school academically in the state,” Tennaro said.