Students had a special visitor in the lunchroom. On March 7, a Harlem Wizards player promoted an upcoming fundraiser game at Emerson Junior-Senior High School. Caden Castillo, a fifth-grader, got the opportunity of a lifetime. The player asked Castillo to shoot a basket for a fun surprise.

“It was nerve-racking but exciting at the same time,” Castillo said. “I really wanted the prize, but I didn’t know if I could shoot it.”

Castillo made the shot on his second attempt and got two tickets to the game.

“I’m definitely going to the game now after I got free tickets,” he said, “and I’m so excited!”

The fundraiser is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on April 24 in the EJSHS gym. The Harlem Wizards is a professional basketball team whose goal is to entertain the crowd with their antics rather than win the game. The Harlem Wizards have been entertaining audiences since 1962. Also, they travel all around the USA and have played in over 20 countries around the world. The team is playing staff of the Emerson Public School District. Profits from ticket sales go to the senior class, and money from the concession stand will go to the junior class.

Fifth grader Lily Polvere enjoyed the visit by the Harlem Wizard player.

“What I kind of liked about the interaction was that instead of a normal assembly he just came to us,” Polvere answered. She also has a predication on who will win the fundraiser game.

“I think the Wizards will actually win,” she said. “In the beginning, I think the Harlem Wizards will go easy on the teachers, and in the end they will play really hard and win the game.”

Tickets are available for purchase at harlemwizards.com.