MISENHEIMER — The entertainment-based Harlem Wizards basketball team is returning to Stanly County.
As a follow-up to last year’s Wizards vs. Teachers charity game at Pfeiffer University, the Wizards are scheduled to once again challenge the Stanly Dragons, a team composed of staff from the Stanly County Schools district.
The fundraising matchup is scheduled between 7-9 p.m. on Thursday night (Jan. 30); doors open at 6 p.m.
“The Stanly Dragons are teachers and staff of Stanly County Schools coached by Superintendent Dr. Dennis,” Stanly County Schools announced. “This exciting game is filled with trick hoops and stunts and will be held at Merner Gym at Pfeiffer University. The game is sponsored by the Albemarle Rotary Club and proceeds will be used for grants to schools, scholarships, and Rotary projects which benefit our community.”
Advanced tickets are currently online only and available now on the Harlem Wizards’ official website. Student tickets are $12 and general admission tickets are $14.
For $45, attendees also have the option to purchase a specialized courtside ticket that includes reserved seating, a pregame meet and greet with players, a souvenir lanyard, and color team photo for autographs.
The 2025 Stanly Dragons official roster has been revealed ahead of the matchup.
This year’s team — led by coach Dennis — consists of Sharon H. Stephens, Tina Bowden and Amanda Urey (East Albemarle); Callie Thigpen and April Hiatt (West Stanly Middle); Randi Griffin, Hannah Naifeh, Lindsay Merritt and Zachary Caldwell (Stanfield); Shawanna Long (North Stanly Middle); Jennifer Drye, Liddy Bray and Emily Emery (Richfield).
Additionally, the roster includes Kelly Hill, Sharah Callicutt and Beth Gentry (South Stanly Middle); Kia Davis (Albemarle Middle); Emily Morton (South Stanly High); Basilio Hidalgo Andrade and Faith Coble (Endy); Lauren Mauldin (North Stanly High); Diana Popoca and Marisah Stacy (Albemarle High); Angela Mills (Badin); Mary Doyle (Oakboro); Timothy Sawyer (Millingport); and Jacob Ford Huber (Central Office).
“Basketball aficionados are treated to great skills, teamwork, slick dribbling, alley-oops and crazy slams,” the Wizards’ organization said in a promotional release. “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, laughter, enthusiasm, and much much more.”
Since 1962, the Harlem Wizards have toured domestically and internationally as a show basketball team that has specialized in fundraising events for schools and nonprofits in the communities where their charity games are held. The team has played over 15,000 games and has raised more than $25 million for schools and charity organizations.