Happy Valley Hoopers lost their first-ever TBT game last summer in the Syracuse regional, but they are hoping for a bounce-back performance this year.
Penn State’s basketball history hasn’t been the best collectively, but the team has had talented players over the years. Heading into year 2, the Happy Valley Hoopers are looking to build on last year’s debut game in hopes of securing the team’s first-ever TBT win and trying to make a deep run.
In 2023, The Happy Valley Hoopers lost to The Nerd Team 54-49 in a low-scoring matchup. With a roster composed of mainly former Nittany Lions, this summer is a chance for the Penn State alumni to redeem themselves.
Roster:
- Christian Johnston (Duquesne)
- Izaiah Brockington (Iowa State)
- Jamari Wheeler (Penn State & Ohio State)
- John Harrar (Penn State)
- Josh Reaves (Penn State)
- Kyle McCloskey (Penn State)
- Qudus Wahab (Georgetown & Penn State)
- Samuel Sessoms (Binghamton, Penn State, & Coppin State)
- Shawn Occeus (Northeastern)
- Taylor Nussbaum (Penn State)
- Trent Buttrick (Penn State and UMass)
Coaching Staff:
- Daniel Spangler (Assistant Coach)
- Ross Condon (Head Coach)
Region: Pittsburgh
All-Time Record: 0-1
First Matchup: vs DuBois Dream (July 20 at 1 p.m. on TBT Live)
Team MVP: Samuel Sessoms
Samuel Sessoms turned some heads last year in TBT despite his team losing its first game. He scored 28 of the 49 points the Happy Valley Hoopers were able to tally in the loss last summer. A stat line of 28 points and four rebounds a year ago is naturally going to attract tighter defense for him this summer, but his talent will still allow him to post
Make-or-Break Player: Josh Reaves
Reaves is just one of two forwards on the Happy Valley Hoopers. After the offense struggled last year, Ross Condon went out and constructed a roster predominantly built with guards. While there are two centers on the roster, Reaves is going to be needed as a rebounder but also scoring in the perimeter as well.
Team Outlook
Happy Valley Hoopers have a very favorable matchup in round 1 against DuBois Dream, another TBT team searching for its first tournament win. I don’t know if the Penn State alumni will get past the second round (presumably against UConn alumni), but checking off the box of that first TBT win is certainly on the table.
Happy Valley Hoopers will rely on Samuel Sessoms to get the scoring going, but offensive production is going to be the biggest question about this team. If Condon’s guards are able to get the scoring going early, this team of Nittany Lions alumni might be tough to beat. However, last year’s offensive woes continuing will result in another one-and-done for the Happy Valley Hoopers.