Wildcats Live Dream Day At Raptors’ ACC

The Chatham-Kent Wildcats Bantam Girls Basketball team lived a dream day this past weekend, after winning an online contest, allowing them to be Toronto Raptors for a day.

The team was entered by coaches Chantal Lucarelli and Chris Dziadura into the Ford Drills Contest, which the Wildcats won.

Entering into the Air Canada Centre with the lights out, with special effects lighting including the Toronto Raptors spotlight on the ACC floor, and the music blaring, the team of 13-year-old girls from Chatham-Kent went through a day in the NBA life, much like the Toronto Raptors, who call the ACC home.

Each player received t-shirts, and were put through a variety of basketball skills and drills, before being fed like a Raptor, by the team’s own personal chef, who prepared healthy smoothies and chicken parmesan for a team meal.

As well, the team received an inspirational speech from former NBA star Jerome Williams. Williams played for the Raptors from 2001-2003.

The Ford Drills and Skills contest recognizes basketball and hockey teams from across Ontario and Canada, who excel both on the court, and in the community. The Wildcats’ application talked about the team’s involvement in community fundraisers, and causes, including the annual Goodfellows campaign in Chatham.