Trick Shots and High-Flyers: Harlem Wizards Dazzle Redlands Fans
Photo by David James Heiss
Trick shots with no hang-ups: the Harlem Wizards returned to REV to work their magic.
By David James Heiss
Redlands News Collective
No matter how hard the home team of Redlands faculty and staff tried, they were teased along and ultimately outmatched by the visiting Harlem Wizards during a night of family entertainment at Redlands East Valley High School.
The Wizards’ April 25 visit, coordinated as a fundraiser by the Redlands Educational Partnership, drew roughly 550 spectators. Fans gathered to witness the crew’s world-famous trick shots, high-flying slam dunks, and comedic timing.
Seventeen school district employees made up the home teams, while a half-dozen Wizards took on all challengers, interspersing the game with crowd participation and autograph sessions for scores of students.
Alex Pinco, a fifth grader at Franklin Elementary School, attended after her family was offered tickets. “It was really fun. Neat to see a trick shot from half court,” she said.
Alice Amato, also a fifth grader, said she received her tickets as a reward. “I like how they played basketball, and they made it funny,” Alice said.
Photo by David James Heiss
What’s basketball without a brief pickleball match?
For Cleo Coleman, a fifth grader at McKinley Elementary School, the experience was “very fun and exciting.” Cleo was among several students selected to compete in a mid-court shootout. Though she placed third, she walked away with a poster later autographed by the Wizards.
Abigail Frost, a McKinley fourth grader, found the event "very entertaining," though she noted it was "very loud" due to the raucous cheering. Her younger sister, Krista, a first grader, echoed the sentiment: “It was fun and entertaining.”
Photo by David James Heiss
“Sky-Rise” pauses for a moment during an autographing marathon.
Highland resident Noemi Castro attended with her husband, Raul, and their two sons: Vincent, an Arroyo Verde Elementary second grader, and 8-month-old Roman. They attended to support Vincent, a budding basketball player.
“It was very nice,” Noemi Castro said. “The kids' activities were attractive, and the Wizards are funny, making kids laugh. They’re very good family entertainment.”
Tom Sponheim, an elementary physical education teacher and former Redlands High School player, was among the faculty participants. Sponheim, who now coaches junior varsity basketball for the Terriers, specialized in 3-pointers throughout the night.
Photo by Rebecca Maschak
Redlands High alumnus Tom Sponheim trades his Terrier roots for a night, suited up as a "Wildcat" to take on the Harlem Wizards at Redlands East Valley.
“We know what the end result is going to be,” Sponheim said before tipoff. “It’s all about the fundraising and putting on a good show.”
Sponheim noted that the Wizards provide a pregame "pep talk" to prepare the faculty for the antics ahead — including a scripted moment where a teacher is chased off the court by a Wizard wielding a folding chair.
Devon “Livewire” Curry, No. 7 for the Wizards, said he is living the dream.
“Being able to see kids and interact with them every day is the best job in the world,” said the Staten Island, New York, native. The 37-year-old, who stands 6 feet 2 inches tall, took a moment during intermission to reflect on the tour. “I love what I do.”
The hosting "Wildcats" team finished with 87 points, while the Wizards handily closed the evening with 96. The score, however, was secondary to the memories: at one point, several employees donned Wizards jerseys to join the fun, and the pros (two who sympathized enough to temporarily join the Wildcats home team) recruited a student to play along, hoisting the child toward the rim to drop the ball through the net.
Redlands Community Hospital was the event’s exclusive full-court sponsor. Additional sponsors included Donna West Family, Neal and Joyce Waner, Costco Wholesale, Redlands Police Officers Association Foundation, Hatfield Buick GMC, Raising Cane’s, Strategic Financial Solutions and Jovi’s Diner. To learn more about the Redlands Educational Partnership or explore ways to support its work in RUSD schools, visit www.rep4schools.com.
Editor David James Heiss serves on the board of the Redlands Educational Partnership. He may be reached at redlandsnewscollective@gmail.com.