Valley Stream teachers take on Court Jesters in fundraising game

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Larry Parker, left, from the Court Jesters, Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare, State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, Nassau County District Court Judge candidate Gary Carlton, Valley Stream Teachers’ Association President Rich Adams gathered for the game on Oct. 27.
Larry Parker, left, from the Court Jesters, Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare, State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, Nassau County District Court Judge candidate Gary Carlton, Valley Stream Teachers’ Association President Rich Adams gathered for the game on Oct. 27.
Mary Grasso/Herald

Audience members danced the Macarena and played hot potato while Valley Stream teachers faced-off against the Court Jesters for a fundraising basketball game at Memorial Junior High School on Oct. 27.

“The crowd was very responsive, and the kids were very involved,” said Gary Carlton, the organizer of the event.

About 200 students and family members attended the game, according to Valley Stream Teachers Association President Rich Adams. Those who did attend, he said, enjoyed watching the Court Jesters — an entertainment-based basketball team akin to the Harlem Globetrotters — engage the teachers in a friendly rivalry.

“The attendance was lighter than we anticipated, but everyone had a fantastic time,” Adams said.

Some of the players, such as Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare, who teaches at Central and South high schools, also enjoyed the festivities.

“The Court Jesters were very entertaining, and the Valley Stream Teachers Association enjoyed working together with the community to co-sponsor this fundraiser,” he said. “Personally, it was very enjoyable to participate in the game — we all shared a lot of laughs.”

For State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, the game was also an opportunity to show-off his basketball skills. “I had a blast and the seven points I scored have me considering leaving politics for a tryout with the Knicks,” he joked.

Despite their best efforts, however, the teachers lost to the Court Jesters. “You don’t beat that team,” Carlton said. “What they do well is dunk and set each other up for the dunk.”

In the end, the game raised $1,050 for charity, which will be divided equally between Team Rubicon, an organization that sends veterans into areas affected by natural disasters, and the North Woodmere Park Foundation, an organization that raises funds to improve North Woodmere Park.