News Detail

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (JANUARY 8, 2024) — Twenty-nine players have joined the team of teachers, students and staff who will take on the Harlem Wizards in a charity basketball event at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 17 at Williamsport Area High School (WAHS).

The event, presented by Geisinger, returns to the Magic Dome to benefit the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation (WASDEF), the district’s nonprofit affiliate.
Coached by Williamsport Area Middle School (WAMS) Principal Kirk Felix, the “Millionaire Magicians” are set to challenge the entertainment basketball squad known for its fancy teamwork and ball handling. 

The district’s team is made up of the following:

• Josh Aarons, intervention specialist, WAMS
• Barb Adair, teacher, Hepburn-Lycoming Primary School
• Justin Beatty, gifted enrichment teacher, Lycoming Valley Intermediate School
• Jamie Bower, teacher, Lycoming Valley Intermediate School
• Bethanny Boyce, teacher, WAMS
• Deacon Brown, student, WAHS
• Dewey Dobbs, intervention specialist, Curtin Intermediate School
• Jaquille Drummond, intervention specialists, Lycoming Valley Intermediate School
• Jackie Eberhart, teacher, WAHS
• Cordell Faltz, school counselor, Lycoming Valley Intermediate School
• Caiden Helmrich, student, WAHS
• Steve Lingle, teacher, WAHS
• Quentin Mazzante, student, WAHS
• Ryan Moon, teacher, WAHS
• Mike Pearson, head football coach, WAHS
• Alex Peluso, teacher, Jackson Primary School
• Connor Poole, student, WAHS
• Cayden Robertson, student, WAHS
• Liz Shultz, student, WAHS
• Beckham Sibiski, teacher, WAHS

In addition, Mayor Derek Slaughter will serve as this year’s “celebrity teammate,” along with eight players from Geisinger: Brain Dixson, Crystal Flack, Brianne George, Tori Gordner, Brianna Gordner, Karen Horne, Wally Karl and Jessica Laidacker.

A new Harlem Wizards team promises a new show and new comedy, keeping the event fresh for the audience.

The event made its initial appearance at the Magic Dome in 2014 and continued annually until 2018. Following a five-year hiatus, the Wizards returned in 2023 and marked a milestone of collectively generating more than $125,000 for the education foundation.

Tickets are on sale online and can be purchased by clicking here. 

Tickets are $15 for both students and adults. Children 3 and under are free. This year’s ticket packages:

• Reserved tickets for both students and adults can be purchased for $30. Reserved ticket-holders receive special reserved seating close to the court, a free team poster for kids and $5 souvenir voucher for adults.
• Courtside Plus tickets for both students and adults can be purchased for $50. These ticket-holders receive courtside reserved seating, pregame meet-and-greet with players, souvenir lanyard, color team photo and $5 discount on a Wizards replica jersey for kids, and a $10 souvenir ticket for adults.
• Courtside Player tickets can be purchased for $125. These ticket holders receive courtside reserved seating, pregame meet-and-greet with players, jersey (pick up at game), souvenir lanyard, a color team photo for autographs, and the opportunity to play in a three-minute game with the Wizards during half-time.

Other sponsors include: EQT as the Home Team sponsor; Bayada Home Health Center as the Slam Dunk Sponsor; Woodlands Bank and Advanced Wildlife Pest Control as Swish Sponsors; and the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Lamar Advertising and Backyard Broadcasting as media sponsors.

The WASD Education Foundation is the recognized nonprofit affiliate of the school district. The education foundation facilitates charitable giving and permanent legacies based on individual areas of interest in educational innovation, the arts, athletics and scholarships. For more information on the foundation, visit www.wasdeducationfoundation.org.

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