Published: October 12, 2008 12:28 am         

Herd coach has tricks up his sleeve at hoops event

HUNTINGTON — When the announcement was made that Marshall basketball coach Donnie Jones had to leave because of an emergency — soon followed by a magician setting up a trick at center court — you kind of got the feeling something was up.

Sure enough, it was Jones himself who emerged from the prop to a nice ovation from the more than 1,000 fans who showed up for Thundering Herd Madness Saturday.

Not exactly Houdini, but the point was made.

“We want to make some magical things happen this season,” Jones told the crowd. “We need you fans to do that.”

The event was held to introduce fans to the team and show what kind of drills they run each day. Also included were a slam dunk contest and three-point shootout, and a 15-minute scrimmage concluded the hour-long event.

Excitement abounds where this team is concerned because of the recruits Jones has brought in.

“I think we’re a little more talented, obviously, than last year,” Jones said. “I thought tonight was a good showing. The freshman had the typical jitters. It was good to get that out here tonight. The people have been hearing about them. Now they can get ready to (start) practice next week.”

Saturday’s festivities began with the introduction of the team.

With a spotlight shining down on them, players and coaches — sans Jones, before the magic act — ran onto the court on the green carpet used at the premiere of the film “We Are Marshall.”

After Jones addressed the crowd, the team ran several of the same drills conducted in practices. Among them were the “peer pressure” drill, a series of passing exercises designed to “teach the team to communicate.”

They also played “21,” a drill where 21 layups must be made in two minutes without the ball touching the floor. If they don’t get to 21, they start over again.

The requirement was cut to 13 for the event.

In another drill, the team had another two minutes to score 100 points. Three players each pushed a ball up court and took a variety of shots, from layups to three-pointers.

The team fell short of the century mark, settling for 78.

“In a 40-minute game, if we score 100 points in two minutes, you do the math,” Jones said, joking with the crowd.

Junior Tay Spann won the slam dunk contest over sophomore Tirrell Baines with a windmill slam. In the contest’s preliminary round, Spann wore football jersey No. 24 — that of his brother, Herd receiver Emmanuel Spann. The latter joined his brother on the court and aided him in his first dunk.

In the three-point contest, freshman Damier Pitts and Dago Pena were pitted against senior Darryl Merthie and junior Chris Lutz. Merthie and Lutz won, making a combined 30 of 50 attempts to the 25 of Pena and Pitts.

Lutz, a transfer from Purdue, made 18.

The scrimmage ended in a 32-32 tie when Pena stole the ball under the basket and layed it in for the White team with 4.8 seconds remaining.

Pitts led the Green team in scoring with 12 points. Marcus Goode, a 6-foot-10, 315-pound center, led the White with 12. He was a crowd favorite with a 2-of-4 showing on three-pointers.

Marshall will officially begin practice Friday. The only exhibition game is set for Saturday, Nov. 1, at home against Wheeling Jesuit.

The regular season starts Sunday, Nov. 16, against WVU Tech in the Glenn Wilkes Classic.

— E-mail:

gfauber@register-herald.com