King Arthur, Space Jam, Swoop, Air Jamaica and Road Runner are just some of the names of the basketball players that invaded the Martin Middle School gymnasium on Tuesday, raising thousands of dollars for a good cause.

The Harlem Wizards, a comedy based basketball team, took on a Dallas County All-Star team in hopes that the Brantley Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization could use proceeds for a new playground at the school.

PTO president of Brantley Elementary, Paula Goodman, said she was very happy with the turnout Tuesday, noting that they have already counted $4,100 raised in ticket pre-sales.

“We will have no idea what we have made tonight from concessions and tickets until the night is over,” Goodman said. “I think its going great — the place is packed and people are still coming in. Everybody seems to be excited, the people in there are just roaring with excitement and they are happy.”

The Wizads had the crowd clapping and laughing along as they did cartwheels, spun basketballs on their fingertips and foreheads and made outrageous dunks throughout the night.

Goodman said her goal was to raise $12,000 for a new playground because the current playground is almost unusable, unsafe and old. However, even if the goal is made, the cost for a new playground would still not be covered.

“The $12,000 would just be the start,” Goodman said. “Because playground equipment is just so expensive.”

School playgrounds range anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 and in Brantley’s case a complete overhaul of the playground would cost about $50,000. Goodman said in a previous interview with the Times-Journal $50,000 is the overall goal for the entire project.

“We want people to support the children at Brantley Elementary and for them to have a safe environment where they can play,” Goodman said. “The playground is deplorable right now, and no one wants their child to play in an unsafe environment.” For more information on the fundraiser, call Paula Goodman at 349- 6489.