LYNNFIELD — Young and old gathered at Lynnfield High School to support a good cause and have a few laughs at A Healthy Lynnfield’s annual Harlem Wizards exhibition basketball game.
Proceeds from the event are dedicated to A Healthy Lynnfield, an organization founded in 2017 in response to the rising misuse of opioids and to promote a healthier and safer community.
A Healthy Lynnfield Project Director Diana DeLeo said the event — in year three — is important because community commitment is key when it comes to preventing substance misuse.
The great thing about the Wizards game is that it brings the whole community together because we know that strong community connections and positive youth experiences are both protective factors in preventing substance misuse for our young people,” she said. “Our hope is that an event like the Wizards gives young people the opportunity to participate in a fun community event, teens the opportunity to volunteer and serve their community and seniors the opportunity to perform and entertain their community and feel valued.”
“This was the third year in and, honestly, every year it gets better,” said Lynnfield High history teacher Sue Breen, the coach of the girls varsity and unified basketball teams. “It’s just such a fun day for everyone, especially the little ones who get to meet the Wizards’ players. To have them come to your school and be able to interact with them in an intimate setting is so much fun.”
The event featured giveaways, contests, refreshments and, of course, plenty of basketball with high-flying dunks, jokes, and audience participation.
The Wizards, founded in 1962, are well-known for parlaying their basketball talents and trick shots into wildly entertaining and successful fundraisers for schools and nonprofit organizations across the United States and beyond.
A Healthy Lynnfield Project Director Diana DeLeo said the game is expected to raise more than $20,000.
“It’s just amazing to raise that much money to allow AHL to do the good things it does,” Breen added. “The kids really loved it and for the younger kids and the crowd to see them is just great for everyone.”
Players included a who’s who collection, including School Resource Officer Alex Doto, Superintendent of Schools Tom Geary, Huckleberry Hill School Principal Lauren King, Summer Street Principal Karen Cronin, and Lynnfield Middle School Principal Stephen Ralston. Participating teachers included Beth Gasinowski, Becky Scenna, Christine Schedin, Paula Smart, Debra Tracy, Emma Bartlett, Sena Changelian, Sutapa Mukherjee and Sarah Hood. Lynnfield High School nurse Risa Ferrara and school counselor Krista Normandin also played.
When asked how the Lynnfield team fared, Breen said they were “amazing.
“It was so much fun for everyone who played,” Breen said. “The Wizards were incredible. It is always such a great community. The teachers had a great time and I think the kids, to be able to see their teachers play, was pretty neat and I think the next day of school had to be so much fun for them.”
This year, the Pioneers’ unified basketball team took the court for the third quarter. Sophomore Cordelia Langton, in her first year on the team, said the experience was “amazing.
“It was so much fun,” Langton said. “From what I know, the Wizards do a lot of trick shots. They were scoring a lot. We were scoring a lot. The dunking was definitely incredible. They were jumping up and just grabbing the rim. I was so happy to get to play as it was so much fun to see.”
Langton’s unified team teammate, sophomore Chase Cail, also played.
“The Wizards game was so much fun and I couldn’t believe how many people were at the game. The whole experience was really great ” Cail said.
DeLeo said seeing the unified team on the court was her favorite part of the event and “such a nice addition.”
Wellpoint served as the event’s MVP Sponsor. Cheerleader sponsors included the Hixon and Bevilacqua Home Group, JM Electrical Company, and MarketStreet.
Fan sponsors included Ellen Crawford, Realtor, James Hook & Company Lobster and GTA. The Four Points by Sheraton Wakefield Boston Hotel & Conference Center was the lodging sponsor.
“I am proud to support AHL’s mission,” Crawford said. “This year was another inspiring turnout that shows the strength of our community against substance abuse.”
Slam Dunk sponsors included FL Putnam, the Law Office of Alessandra Petruccelli, the Law Offices of Gregory R. Richard, Northfield Orthodontics, and School Street Foods.
Beyond Dance of Lynnfield, BTone Fitness Middleton and Hardwood Hustle served as Swish Sponsors.
Lynnfield High senior Mallory DiSilvio opened the festivities with the national anthem. The Lynnfield Senior Center POM-tastic team, led by Joie Edson, entertained the packed crowd at halftime.
“Working with the Wizards is fabulous from beginning to end,” DeLeo said. “They are a great organization and we are so happy we have been able to bring them to Lynnfield for the last three years.”
