It wasn't exactly your typical basketball game. 

Halfway through the second quarter of a game at Calhoun High School last Friday night, the game stopped, music blasted from the speakers and everyone in the audience was invited down to the court to dance with the players.

But the players and fans were all there for one reason: to raise money for charity and to have a little fun.

The Merrick Kiwanis Club, Calhoun Key Club and the Merrick Avenue Middle School Builders Club sponsored the event, which featured a matchup between local teachers/faculty and the Harlem MagicMasters.  

"It's a fun event for all generations," said Linda Susman, a Kiwanis board member. "A great way to raise money and really put the Kiwanis out there in the community."

On the home team were teachers and faculty from the North Merrick and Merrick elementary schools, Calhoun High and Merrick Avenue Middle School. The opposing team, the MagicMasters, put on more than just a basketball game--they put on a show. They dribbled, danced and moved in ways that caused both teams and spectators to laugh and cheer loudly. 

Merrick Kiwanis members pride themselves on strengthening communities through various activites. In a series of different events, the Kiwanians raise awareness and money, which they donate to different charities and local schools. 

"We want to be able to do more within the community," Kiwanis secretary Kim Scharoff said. "We like to bring the crowds out and to just have fun."

Students in the Calhoun Key Club also worked hard to put on the event, bringing friends from other high schools to come help. Alyssa O'Braskin, 16, president of Key Club, stood on the sidelines intensely watching the game and listening to the laughter going on around her.

"I didn't think there was going to be this big of a turnout," Alyssa said. "We wanted to raise as much money as we could for a good cause."

Players for the home team were strutting down the court, laughing with the spectators at the show the MagicMasters put on.  Lori Biscardi, a math teacher at Calhoun, cheered loudly for her team as she sat down for a break.

"It's an enjoyable event for families to come watch," Biscardi said. "I've seen them [Harlem MagicMakers] before and they are very entertaining to watch."

According to their official Web site, the MagicMasters pride themselves on being accomplished basketball players as well as "goodwill ambassadors of the sport and active mentors to youth."

That was evident during Friday's game, where during halftime, children of all ages came onto the court to shoot hoops with the team members. James Williams, who is known on the court as "Speedy," said that the MagicMasters participate in events like these to help bring communities together.

"These events help teachers to unwind and students to have fun with them," Williams said. "And parents get the chance to watch their children laugh and play for a good cause."