By Andrew Chirico
Sports Editor
Want to become the next Michael Jordan? What about LeBron James? Well, now is your chance.
This Sunday, Oct. 30, the Washington College men’s and women’s basketball programs will be hosting their first ever “Haunted Hoops” 3-on-3 tournament from 1-5 p.m. in the Cain Gymnasium. Women’s basketball Head Coach Alisha Mosley is glad the two were able to collaborate for the event.
“Both myself and Coach Aaron Goodman had the idea to host a 3-on-3 basketball tournament as a fundraising event for our separate programs,” Mosley said. “When we heard that both of us were trying to do the same thing we thought it would be a great idea to join forces and put one great tournament together for both programs.”
With the tournament being open to students, staff, and faculty, there will be a men’s bracket and a co-ed bracket. As far as rules go, the tournament is double-elimination, with a maximum of five players per team. Co-ed teams must have at least one female playing the whole time.
Prizes will be awarded for best team costume, best individual costume, and first and second place winners in each bracket.
Registration is online at www.goodmanbasketballgroup.com, the cost is $85 per team.
Coach Aaron Goodman thinkss the tournament will help engage the community.
“It’s a great event that promotes fun around Halloween, and brings WAC students, faculty, staff, and the greater Chestertown community under one roof playing a game so many people love,” Goodman said. “Having a men’s tournament and a co-ed tournament give people more choice in how they many want to participate. We want people/teams to dress up as there will be prizes for best team and individual costumes.”
Both the men’s and women’s program partnered with the Bayside Hoyas Youth Group to run the event. Goodman feels the collaboration is beneficial in many ways.
“We feel that there is a great market for basketball camps and tournaments on campus and the Eastern Shore,” he said.
The money will go towards player development equipment, resources to recruit great-student athletes, and improving the overall student athlete experience. The tournament will also support the men’s team trip to Florida during Winter break. The women hope to travel to Florida next year.
Goodman’s expectations for the event include having at least four teams in the high school boys, high school girls and eight teams for the Men’s league and Co-Ed League.
“We want everyone to leave having had a good time, friendly competition, and excitement for the event next year,” he said.
In the midst of planning the tournament, both teams started their preseason practices, which begun on Oct. 15. Both coaches are pleased with the progress they have seen within the first few sessions.
“Preseason has been going great. We are so far ahead of where we were last year at this time,” said Mosley. “Partially due to the fact that we were allowed by the NCAA to start practice a week early and the other part due to the fact that we brought back a a lot of veteran players who know our system and our expectations.”
Goodman is also happy with the progress of his young team.
“High energy and each day making improvements individually and as a team, especially defensively,” he said.
The men’s basketball team will travel to Navy Sunday, Nov. 13 for a 2 p.m. scrimmage. Meanwhile, the women’s program will play their first scrimmage on Wednesday, Nov. 9 when they host Wilmington (Del.) in a 7 p.m. scrimmage at home.