After their first ever The Basketball Tournament (TBT) victory Saturday, the Happy Valley Hoopers return to Pittsburgh tonight at 6:00 pm to battle the Stars of Stoors, the UConn Alumni Team.
As a five seed, the Happy Valley Hoopers ‘upset’ the Dubois Dream 88-77.
The offensive explosion was much needed after only scoring 49 points a year ago, all five starters scored in double digits, led again by Sam Sessoms 20 points. Greg Lee added 17 and captain John Harrar had a double double (11 points and 14 rebounds).
With rumors of NBA G League player Izaiah Brockington joining the team tonight, and potentially Qudus Wahab, the team will need reinforcements against a tough opponent. The Stars of Stoors feature University of Connecticut legends Rodney Purvis and Ryan Boatright and ran 10 players deep in their 85-52 win over the 8 seed Herkimer Originals.
Leading scorer Terry Maston came off the bench with 18 points and 8 rebounds and Elijah Thompson chipped in with 15 off the bench also. Stars of Stoors struggled from deep (7 of 28) but finished 54% from the field, showing their interior strength and depth.
Their game was a very different feel from the Happy Valley Hoopers first game, where we were called for only three fouls all game. Stars of Stoors were called for 19 (!) in their game. How this game is officiated, especially down low, could be crucial. With Trent Buttrick listed as questionable, Wahab’s presence may be critical with John Harrar as the only other option underneath the basket.
Happy Valley Hoopers are competing in the one million dollar, winner take all, TBT for the second year.
They find themselves just 5 wins away from the million dollars and with a win, would play in the regional final, versus either the Pitt Alumni Team or the West Virginia Alumni Team.
You can watch the Happy Valley Hoopers take on UCONN Alumni by signing up for a FREE account on the TBT’s Website here.
Evan Smith is an alum of Penn State (Marketing, Economics, 2011) and a basketball season ticket holder since 2006.
NittanyCentral is his second reporting job following the Men's Basketball program. He co-founded and co-hosts the Shots Gotta Fall - The Penn State Basketball Podcast (the premiere, the best, the only) with Steve Travis.
Smith's most proud moment covering the team was seeing the national No. 9 ranking during Pat Chambers' last year. His most embarrassing moment was spending almost a thousand dollars to travel 2,000 miles in 46 hours to watch the Nittany Lions lose to Temple in the 2011 NCAA Tournament (screw you Juan Fernandez).
NittanyCentral is his second reporting job following the Men's Basketball program. He co-founded and co-hosts the Shots Gotta Fall - The Penn State Basketball Podcast (the premiere, the best, the only) with Steve Travis.
Smith's most proud moment covering the team was seeing the national No. 9 ranking during Pat Chambers' last year. His most embarrassing moment was spending almost a thousand dollars to travel 2,000 miles in 46 hours to watch the Nittany Lions lose to Temple in the 2011 NCAA Tournament (screw you Juan Fernandez).
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