For the Tomahawk Leader
TOMAHAWK – The world-famous Harlem Wizards will return to Tomahawk on Wednesday, May 3 for a fun-filled basketball game against a team made up of local school and community celebrities, known as the Kinship Krew.
Online tickets are now on sale for the 7 p.m. game at the Tomahawk School District fieldhouse. Doors open at 6 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for the Kinship mentoring program.
The energy at a Wizards game is described as electric and the resulting laughter as infectious – real crowd pleasers.
The Wizards are known for their hoop artistry, ball-handling, tricks and teamwork. They not only have fun challenging the competing team and referee, but interact with the kids in attendance and other audience members.
“We are delighted to host the Wizards again after a four-year hiatus due to COVID,” said Kinship Executive Director Patti Hilgendorf. “They are superb showmen who deliver fantastic all-age entertainment for a great cause.”
On hand will be the “Broadway” Wizards team made up of Broadway, A-Train, Space Jam, Livewire, Loonatik and Mr. Bounce.
The Kinship Krew includes Arland Wingate as coach, Wendell Quisenberry, Dr. Kelley Milcarek, Billy Eastwood, Jon Long, Bill Sparr, Connor Ahrens, Stacy Bolder, Grant Voermans, Amanda Duncan, John Roberts, Sam Hernandez, Melissa Nieman, Brett Susa, Jade Wanta, Elicia Seliskar, Megan Nelson, Matthew Weaver and Matt Hau, with Stephanie Ahrens as the PT/trainer and Terry Timm, referee.
Founded in 1962, the Wizards have played more than 15,000 games throughout the United States that have raised over $25 million for schools and charitable causes. The Wizards also have played in over 25 foreign countries on six continents.
The Wizards grew into a choice basketball destination for some of America’s best basketball talent. As the team’s reputation spread, professional athletes from across the sports spectrum joined the Wizards’ roadshow. Some of them have been Connie Hawkins and Elvin Hayes, considered among the top 50 NBA players of all-time, and Nate “Tiny” Archibald, a member of the NBA Hall of Fame.
NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, World Series MVP Donn Clendennon and Harlem Globetrotter superstar Marquess Haynes also have played for the Wizards.
The roster coming to Tomahawk includes Eric “Broadway” Jones, a former Globetrotter showman, and Arnold “A-Train” Bernard, a highly acclaimed trickster and seven-year Globetrotter veteran who was featured in a Nike commercial.
Advance tickets are encouraged online from the Wizards by going to May 3 on the calendar at www.harlemwizards.com/schedule-tickets/. Students/senior citizens are $9.00; general admission, $10.00; reserved, $20.00. There are also special perks by ordering courtside plus and benchwarmer tickets. Ages 3 and under are free. Tickets purchased at the door will be $2.00 more.
“Come support Kinship of Tomahawk. Basketball aficionados will be treated to great skills, teamwork, slick dribbling, alley-oops and crazy slams,” Hilgendorf stated. “The non-hoop fans attending will find out that this is much more than just a basketball game. The night is funny, theatrical, exciting and spectacular, and the gym will reverberate with oohs and aahs.”
For more information, call Patti Hilgendorf at 715-966-0996 or email [email protected].
