Former Bucs ready to shoot at $ 1 million | Sports

JOHNSON CITY – Call it a blast from the past.

Several former East Tennessee State male basketball players have gathered in recent days at Gordon Ball Court, the Bucs’ training center.

They are preparing to return to the field together with a lot of money at stake.

The Bucketneers, as they’re called, are one of 64 teams entered for the basketball tournament, which begins next weekend. Teams from across the country are preparing for their shots in the knockout tournament.

The members of the winning team will share the top prize of $ 1 million.

The (mostly) ETSU alumni team will be coached by Joe Hugley, who played a year at ETSU and is now a member of Steve Forbes’ support staff in Wake Forest.

Hugley wants to become a coach and this is his first chance to run the show.

“I wanted to be a coach since I was in second year in college,” he said. “It’s something that fascinates me. Come here and train these guys, they worked hard and got in shape. I am delighted to return to my alma mater. It feels good to be back. “

The team opens the game on Sunday, July 18 at noon with a match against War Ready, a team of former Auburn players. The game, which is part of the West Virginia Regional at the Charleston Coliseum, will be on ESPN3.

The winner will advance to a second round match the next day.

“We have different personalities,” Hugley said. “These guys are dump dogs. Being able to train these guys is an honor for me. When we come into the game I don’t have to worry about whether we’re strong enough. I know for sure.

Most of the players come from the ETSU Southern Conference Championship teams of 2010, 2017 and 2020, which was not lost on them.

“That’s what I told them from day one,” Hugley said. “When you have a champion team, it wasn’t a single guy who was shooting the ball all the time. We have to continue to trust each other and get the ball rolling.

“I think we have a good chance of going further in the tournament and winning it.”

Four players – Desonta Bradford, Tray Boyd, Tevin Glass and Isaac Banks – gathered for a light shootaround on Friday. Over the next few days, other players will be joining us. The rest of the squad includes AJ Merriweather, TJ Cromer, Courtney Pigram and three non-ETSU players: Justin Tuoyo of Chattanooga, Emmanuel Omogbo of Colorado State and Cornelius Hudson of Wake Forest.

Many of the team play professionally abroad.

The tournament was held last year, but with a smaller pitch due to the pandemic, and the ETSU team didn’t make the pitch. This time around, the Bucketneers have high hopes.

“I think these guys understand what’s at stake,” said Dillon Reppart, team general manager and former ETSU player. “With 64 teams, it’s winning or going home. Were excited. I think Joe did an amazing job grooming these guys. Looking at Joe, it’s like he’s a mini-Forbes. It’s crazy to see him train.

The team will continue to train in Johnson City throughout the week before heading to West Virginia.

“I’m very excited to be playing after last year,” said Banks. “It was a terrible year. I had to go home. I was playing in Ukraine. I am just ready to resume competition.