Hurricanes hoops at St. Joseph’s– Alexander McKay Elementary

It’s not every day you get to see some pro basketball players dunking on your school’s hoops.

That’s just the experience students of St. Joseph’s–Alexander McKay Elementary in North End Halifax received Tuesday when the Halifax Hurricanes came to visit.

The kids got the chance to meet three of the Hurricanes players: power forward Renaldo Dixon, shooting guard Joseph Bertrand and point guard Ty Nurse.

“I think it’s important for the kids to see us so they can put a personality to the faces they see out there during the games,” said Dixon.

The players took the time to talk about their life, what brought them to Halifax and to tell the kids to never give up on your dreams.

Students then got the chance to show off some of their own skills in front of the players and, of course, get some autographs.

“They really liked it,” said Christina Cann, primary teacher at St. Joseph’s–Alexander McKay Elementary.

“[My students] are the little ones, so they are just in awe of all the bigger players. It was a great oppourtunity for them.”

Cann said the event is something the kids can really relate to. Many of them play basketball regularly in gym class or out in recess and have dreams of someday walking in the Hurricanes’ footsteps.

Dixon said as a kid growing in Toronto, members of the Raptors would sometimes come through his school to give a similar talk.

“I was really excited, just like some of [the kids today] are acting,” he said. “I’m glad I’m able to let them have the feeling that I used to have when I was younger.”

The players came bearing gifts as well, giving each student a free pass to go see a game of their choosing.