CHATHAM — Basketball fans will have the opportunity to rub elbows with some of the top college hoops prospects in the country on Thursday when Hargrave Military Academy hosts its third annual Meet the Tigers night.
This year’s post-graduate team is one of the most talent laden teams that Tigers coach A.W. Hamilton has put together in his three years at the helm of the team. The 2013-14 Tigers feature:locally-sourced talent like former George Washington Eagles standout Ahmad Thomas;
recognizable names like Justin Jordan, Michael Jordan’s nephew;
highly-touted talent like Dontae Grantham, who’s currently listed as the 66th best player in the country according to Rivals.com; and
Rashard Kelly, who has already received offers from three schools that made last year’s NCAA Men’s Division I basketball tournament including Wichita State who made the Final Four.
Fans will be in for a treat on Thursday when the team holds a public scrimmage, giving those in attendance a first taste of what to expect this year.
” I’m really excited,” Thomas said. “We’ve got a big program. I think we’re going to go very far this year, maybe get that [championship] ring this year. Just come Thursday and see the show.”
While the scrimmage isn’t the official kickoff to Hargrave’s season, it will mark the first time this year’s team will play in front of the public. As the season gears up to launch, many of the Tigers have high hopes for the team.
” Of course I look forward to winning,” Grantham, who is already entertaining offers from Michigan, Cincinnati, Miami (Fla.) and Texas to name a few, said. “But [also] just having fun and playing my hardest. Getting better [and] being a better team everyday; just having fun.”
In addition to supporting the Tigers, those who attend Thursday’s event will also be aiding Pittsylvania County youth sports. The Tigers were more than happy for the chance to help out area youth sports programs and will split proceeds from the event with Pittsylvania County Parks and Recreation. In addition to the monetary support, the Tigers have been making weekend trips to local youth football games in an effort to expand the team’s fan base and make more residents aware of what the Tigers’ post-graduate program is doing.
” I think that everybody else is excited, we’re excited too, to get the thing rolling” guard Asa Duvall said. “We’re just ready to show what we can do and what we’re about.”
In addition to the scrimmage, the Tigers will officially retire the number of Mike Gallagher, a member of the first post-graduate basketball team at Hargrave during the 1990-91 season prior to playing college ball at The Citadel. Many of Hargrave’s players were excited about the opportunity to meet someone who paved the way for them to do what they’re doing now.
” I think it’s great for us to have an opportunity to spend the day with Mike Gallagher and honor him,” Hamilton said. “He’s done so much for the program. He’s one those guys; he didn’t make it to the NBA, but he’s one of our players that made it to a Division I school, got his degree, and is a very successful businessman. So we’re excited about him. We’re proud of him just like we are Josh Howard, David West and Joe Alexander.”
The Meet the Tigers event will be held in the gym at Hargrave starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The Tigers officially kick off the 2013-14 season on Oct. 17 when they host Patrick Henry Community College at 6 p.m.
