SCRANTON, Pa. — There will be trick hoops and alley-oops. It's the Harlem Wizards vs. the teachers, a fundraiser for the Scranton Boys Basketball team.
"It's going to be a family fun event. It's going to be entertaining; it's going to be a good time. It's going to be fun for people to come out with their families, their friends, and for anyone in the community, as well as our school students," said Karen Battaglia, a member of the booster club.
The parents booster club is hosting the event. They sent out an email to all of the teachers and administrators in the district to see if there would be any interest and couldn't believe the response. At least one person from all 16 schools in the district signed up to play to show their support for the team.
"I started my career here at Scranton High School and taught for 13 years. I was also the head varsity softball coach for 12, and although I'm an administrator on the west side of town now, the Knights will always have a special place in my heart," said Shannon Rucker.
Rucker is the principal at Frances Willard and Charles Sumner Elementary Schools. She is just one of the 25 players on the opposing team, going up against the Harlem Wizards.
"We also play basketball a lot at recess, so I'm excited for them to see me play," Rucker said.
The money raised will go directly to the boys basketball team to send them to camp, to buy equipment like a shooting machine, and to help the boys pay for overall costs to play the game, like buying sneakers.
"Really cool to see them all coming out to support the event and to benefit our school and the team, and it's a good step for our community and Scranton," said basketball player Matthew Barrett.
The boys will be at the game. They say they are most excited to see the younger kids who have never been to something like this having a great time.
"We went to elementary schools and promoted it, and all of the kids loved every second of it," basketball player Cullen Moran said.
And even though the teachers are doing all of this to benefit the boys, the boys don't have all that much faith in seeing them win.
"Teachers are getting killed," Barrett said.
"I agree with him 100%," Moran added.
The game is this Friday, March 22, at 7 P.M. at the Scranton High School gym. Tickets for adults are $10, and tickets for students are $8, but you have to buy tickets online.
You can purchase them here.