Jon Elmore tips a pass backward as Herd That conducts a practice on Monday, July 15, 2024, at the South Charleston Community Center. Elmore is entering his seventh season with the team.
Jon Elmore tips a pass backward as Herd That conducts a practice on Monday, July 15, 2024, at the South Charleston Community Center. Elmore is entering his seventh season with the team.
SOUTH CHARLESTON ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” This being Herd ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s seventh season in The Basketball Tournament, thereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s not much from the summer league that surprises it anymore.
Despite significant roster turnover, Herd That has used a consistent group of Marshall menÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s basketball alumni to help field a team every summer since forming in 2018, and it has been a significant part of the growth of the league in that respect.
Just ask Jon Elmore, who has been at the center of Herd ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s journey from start to finish.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThis is high-level basketball,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Elmore said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œYouÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got professionals, former NBA guys, and itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s all for a million dollars. The stakes right there are enough.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The talent pool has grown every summer and includes a mix of NBA G-League players, like Elmore, as well as overseas professionals and former NBA players. It all plays out over a period of two weeks in late July.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œA little bit of a different game in that sense, but there is also a lot of bragging rights in TBT as well,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Herd That guard Jarrod West said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œA lot of professionals play in TBT and are guys you might play in the same league or country as and see throughout the year, so the bragging rights are right there along with the money.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Only once in six years has Herd That been a one-and-done in TBT, in 2019 with a 83-76 loss to Big X in its opening game. Twice Herd That has made it to the quarterfinals (2020, 2023), and last season it advanced to the semifinals in Philadelphia. Herd That fell to team Heartfire 73-68 on a banked-in 3-pointer after cutting the lead to a single possession during the Elam Ending.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œFor us, the expectation is, we want to win the tournament,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ West said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œTo continue to get this kind of recognition, and for us to get the one-seed in this Lexington Regional, we want to win. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s an exciting time and definitely brings some added motivation as we go into this thing.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Ahead of FridayÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s first-round game in Lexington, Herd ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s compete roster was finally able to practice together Tuesday afternoon. DeAndre Kane and JaCorey Williams missed the first team workout on Monday.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re going to have a chance to make some noise,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ West said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe good news is, weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got a lot of guys who have experienced TBT before and have played in it for years. I think weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got the team to do it.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Of the newcomers, Kane is a four-time TBT champion, winning it with two different teams. Nick McGlynn has played in a TBT championship before. Tyrus McGee and Xavier Munford have been mainstays in the tournaments while playing for other teams.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe picked each of these guys because they bring a unique skill set,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ manager Ot Elmore said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got the experience and big-time players to win.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Luke Creasy is a reporter for The Herald-Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @LukeCreasy or reach him by phone at 304-526-2800.
