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Harlem Wizards dazzle locals on the court

| 28 Jan 2015 | 01:14
    Harlem Wizard Timothy "Tomahawk" Stukes escorts Sparta resident Tracey Puleo back to her seat after helping retrieve her pocketbook swiped by one of his teammates.
    Harlem Wizard Timothy "Tomahawk" Stukes escorts Sparta resident Tracey Puleo back to her seat after helping retrieve her pocketbook swiped by one of his teammates.
    Harlem Wizard Devon "Livewire" Curry does some fancy dribbling while shadowed by an opponent.
    Harlem Wizard Devon "Livewire" Curry does some fancy dribbling while shadowed by an opponent.
    Harlem Wizard Lamarvon "Showtime" Jackson jumps over teammate Arnold "A-Train" Bernard during an amazing trick shot.
    Harlem Wizard Lamarvon "Showtime" Jackson jumps over teammate Arnold "A-Train" Bernard during an amazing trick shot.
    Harlem Wizard Timothy "Tomahawk" Stukes hitches a ride on an opposing player.
    Harlem Wizard Timothy "Tomahawk" Stukes hitches a ride on an opposing player.
    The Harlem Wizards pose with some young fans.
    The Harlem Wizards pose with some young fans.
    Silliness ensues as a young fan participates in one of the Harlem Wizards antics.
    Silliness ensues as a young fan participates in one of the Harlem Wizards antics.
    Eleven year olds and Sparta residents Mike McGovern, A.J. Davis and Nick Capeci enjoy the Harlem Wizards performance.
    Eleven year olds and Sparta residents Mike McGovern, A.J. Davis and Nick Capeci enjoy the Harlem Wizards performance.
    Harlem Wizard Timothy "Tomahawk" Stukes hitches a ride on an opposing player.
    Harlem Wizard Timothy "Tomahawk" Stukes hitches a ride on an opposing player.
    Harlem Wizard Leon "Space Jam" Sewell autographs a young fans jersey.
    Harlem Wizard Leon "Space Jam" Sewell autographs a young fans jersey.

SPARTA — Basketball fans from all over Sussex County got their fill of hoops, scoops and alley-oops as the famous Harlem Wizards basketball team visited Sparta Township for a charity game on Sunday, Jan. 25.

Sparta High School hosted the event that benefited Alpine Elementary School in it's fundraising efforts.

The Alpine faculty aka The Sparta Slammers took on the Wizards. The Harlem Wizards won 92-77.

The Wizards wowed the crowd with their trick shots and polished play on the court. The Sparta Slammers gave it their all but were no match for the deft dribbling and flashy footwork of the Harlem Wizards. Despite being the underdogs the Sparta Slammers were good sports and along with the fans enjoyed interacting with the legendary show basketball team.

The Harlem Wizards have been entertaining generations of basketball fans since 1962. Their style of play is similar to their show basketball counterparts the Harlem Globetrotters. The Wizards display of dazzling hardwood skills, comedy and crowd interaction has proven a winning formula for them. They regularly barnstorm through the United States entertaining and raising funds for schools and other groups.

The Harlem Wizards roster periodically changes but remains true to the spirit of sportsmanship with a heavy dose of showmanship thrown into the mix. The lineup is usually made up of former college and professional basketball players.

— Photos by George LeRoy Hunter