The fine people at Merrimack Valley High School couldn’t be happier to invite you to a basketball game in their own gymnasium in which the home team doesn’t stand a chance.
The outcome on the floor will be secondary when the Harlem Wizards cruise into town for a game against a squad of Merrimack Valley School District all-stars Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. (and unless there’s a couple pro hoops players masquerading as science teachers, the outcome will also be inevitable.) The real victory will be packing the bleachers in support of 15-year-old MV student Haley Roy, who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma.
The Wizards will bring their signature dribbling tricks and aerial showmanship to MV for a night that will include a 50-50 raffle and a grand-prize raffle including four tickets to a NASCAR race and a helicopter ride to the track.
“I think as we’re getting closer to the game, it’s definitely picking up – you can just feel the energy,” said Sue Gorham of the MVHS health office.
The Wizards certainly bring energy, in the form of nifty ball-handling tricks and other basketball showmanship. They also involve the crowd throughout the game to create an entertainment experience that keeps everyone interested.
They will be facing a team made up of representatives from each school in the Merrimack Valley system, including one principal. Roy’s stepfather and sister are also going to join the group. Roy will be in attendance, Gorham said, assuming she feels well enough to go.
“We know Haley, we know her family, and we know there’s a need and we wanted Merrimack Valley High School to do something, so this is where we decided to put our energy, because it’s fun,” said Gorham, who helped conceive the event along with health office co-worker Sarah Hodgkins and Wizards representative Kathi Russ of Bow. “Haley was definitely on board with it. She loved the idea, and it’s going to show the community, which is really a big part of it.”
Russ was excited to make her pitch and is confident the game will be a success. So much so that she encourages you – as soon as you finish reading the Insider – to grab your tickets. They are $10 for students, $12 for general admission and $2 more if you purchase them at the door. Tickets are available at Capital Sporting Goods or online at harlemwizards.com.
“I think we’re going to raise a lot of money for Haley and her family. It will be a sellout game, so if people want their tickets, they ought to buy them now,” Russ said. “And that’s great, to show that the community supports her and her family. They’re going to raise a big pile of money, which is awesome.”
Gametime is 7 p.m., but doors will open at 6:15. The festivities will include the aforementioned raffles as well as an appearance by Merrimack Valley graduate and former major league pitcher Bob Tewksbury.
The focus, though, has always been Roy, and the game will give the community a very public opportunity to wish her well.
“I think she’s just an amazing girl. She just has so much wisdom,” Gorham said. “She knows how lucky she is and what she has, and I think it’s going to be really apparent on the night of the event.”
