Herkimer Originals pays homage to the city that claims to have invented basketball.
As someone who lives in Upstate New York, this will be a very fun team to watch. Most of the players played at the Division III level, but it’s a team made-up of New York State flavor with some D-I representation.
They’ve got a tough battle against Stars of Storrs, a UConn alumni team, but don’t ever think a team from Central New York can’t gives the Huskies a good game.
Roster:
- Ben Walters (SUNY Cortland)
- Jamie Calloway (Lackawanna)
- Javon McCrea (Buffalo)
- Jay Farrow (Salem University & Ohio-Eastern University)
- Jeremiah Sparks (SUNY Oswego)
- Joe Norelli (Pace)
- Josh Gregory (SUNY Poly)
- Kevin Briggs (ASA Juco)
- Khapari Alston (Midwestern State)
- Phillip Bledsoe II (Marshall & Glenville State)
- Symir Torrence (Marquette, Syracuse, & Binghamton)
- Tyquan Rolan (Le Moyne)
Coaching Staff:
- Dave Golembiowski (Head Coach)
- Donald Schoff (Assistant Coach)
- Scott Flansburg (GM)
Region: Pittsburgh
All-time Record: 0-0
First Matchup: vs. Stars of Storrs (July 20 at 6 p.m. on TBT Live)
Team MVP: Symir Torrence
Torrence has experience playing in D-I and just finished up his college career in March at Binghamton. He’s got the most star power of this team, playing point guard for his hometown Syracuse Orange.
While Torrence isn’t a natural scorer, he can facilitate great. Last season at Binghamton, he dished out over seven assists per game and on a team where there isn’t one player who jumps off the page, Torrence will need to set up his teammates for easy shots.
Make-or-break Player: Javon McCrea
It’s been a decade since McCrea took the floor for UB, but when he did, he was a beast, averaging 18.5 PPG and 9.9 RPG as a senior. He’s a shot blocker, efficient around the rim, and has great court vision for a big man.
If Herkimer Originals has any chance at pulling off a major upset, they’ll need McCrea to have a big game.
Team Outlook
On paper, Stars of Storrs looks like they might outclass Herkimer Originals, but this team will play with a chip on their shoulder. They have shooters, a playmaker, and of course, one big body in McCrea. I’m not calling upset, but I’m warning you to stay alert!