Trick hoops and alley-oops in Allentown Harlem Wizards help raise $3,000 for drug alliance BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer Basketball wizards worked their dunking magic in the Allentown High School gym last week to raise money for a good cause. Top: Laquan "Jumpman" Castro, of the Harlem Wizards, dunks the ball during a game April 5 at Allentown High School to benefit the Upper Freehold/Allentown Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Left: Kyle Nieliwocki sets up a free throw as teammates Jordan Pepitone (l) and Mike Gomba watch during the game. Above: Harlem Wizards players Dazzle and Swoop give Jordan Pepitone a little help with his uniform during the game. The Harlem Wizards played to a crowd of 550 and helped raise $3,000 for theAllentown/ Upper Freehold Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcohol and Drug Abuse, which is commonly known as the DrugAlliance. The show team, which has been around for five decades and has visitedAllentown every year for the past six years, combined individual athleticism with teamwork, entertainment and community involvement for a night of trick hoops and alley-oops and other crowd-pleasing entertainment. PHOTOS BY MATT DENTON The DrugAlliance, which sponsors the annual event, puts together a team of student athletes, principals, teachers and other area residents each year to try to beat the Wizards. "We came within four points of beating them," said Drug Alliance Chairman Sal Diecidue, who played in the game. "They had a routine at the end that prevented us from shooting." The Harlem Wizards' current winning streak is 2,800 games. The team has played over 6,000 games since its inception in 1962 and features some of the best basketball players in the world. "It doesn't take much for them to block your shots," Diecidue said. "They are all over 6 feet tall." Although the local team tried its best, the night was more about community and fun than winning. Special appearances by the Allentown Redbird and McGruff the Crime Dog highlighted this aspect of the event, Diecidue said. "We were all happy to be out there to get the kids going," Diecidue said, adding that the local star of the night was Dana Thompson, coach of the junior varsity girls basketball team. "She kept sinking three-pointers," he said. "The Wizards asked, 'Where can we get her?' " Another highlight of the night came when the alliance recognized the Rev. Merton Steelman, of Allentown United Methodist Church, with a plaque for his 11 years of active service on the alliance. Diecidue said Steelman is moving out of the community. The Drug Alliance's major fundraiser of the year, theWizards game helps the alliance raise money and awareness for illegal drug and alcohol prevention programs in the school district and the community. "We fund the Allentown High School Lifesavers Club and we have our own coordinator who puts together other prevention programs for students, such as puppet shows," Diecidue said. He thanked all of the volunteers who helped organize the event and all who attended the game. Diecidue said the alliance plans to ask the Wizards to return. "This fundraiser is a good Saturday night event for families to watch," he said. "Kids love it, and it gains awareness." The alliance's other upcoming events include a daddy/daughter dance onMay 2, prescription drug awareness information sessions for seniors on May 21 and May 28, a car show on June 25, and a Cream Ridge Golf Club golf outing fundraiser on July 18. The alliance will also get a portion of the proceeds from every bill during a Friendly's Restaurant fundraiser 5-9 p.m. on June 2. Diecidue said it is important for the community to support Drug Alliance fundraisers because for every $1 spent now on drug education, society saves $16 in future rehabilitation costs. For more detailed information on these events and DrugAlliance programs, visit www.ufadrugalliance.org or call (609) 758-7738, ext.230.