Normally homecoming ends with a football game, but this year as all ETSU students know, it’s a little different.
On Saturday, Oct. 30, after the Fall Festival, the ETSU band led fans to Brook’s Gym where they got a sneak peek at the Bucs’ men’s basketball team.
The ETSU basketball team faced off against each other in the Blue and Gold scrimmage.
The Blue team consisted of newcomers Chris Mitchell and Greg Surmacz, along with returning players Brad Nuckles, Tim Smith, Travis Strong and Aaron Scott.
The Gold team was led by James Anthony, Ben Rhoda, Sam Oatman, along with freshman Andrew Reed and transfer Dillion Sneed. Michael Tolliver was on the sidelines with a knee injury. Coach Murry Bartow and his staff split the teams before Saturday’s game.
“There were some positives and some negatives,” said ETSU coach Murray Bartow. “All the big buys had bright spots. It was a consistent effort.”
The game started with a James Anthony basket to put the Gold team in the lead. The Gold team came out on fire with the biggest lead of the first half on an Anthony basket to bring the score to 10-5.
The Blue team came back and took the lead after Strong hit a two-pointer and hit a free throw to bring the Blue team within two, 30-28. Defense prevailed for the Blue team and with a Smith basket they gained a one-point advantage, their first lead of the game. The Blue team was able to keep the lead with a pair of Smith baskets and a dunk and three-pointer by Scott. The Gold team kept it close, but was unable to catch up going into halftime 40-36.
After halftime the Blue team scored first with a Strong basket. Sneed took over for the Gold team with three straight baskets to tie the game 42. A couple of baskets were traded to make the score 52-50.
Nuckles hit two from the line right before Reed hit one of his two free throws for a three-point game. Smith hit two three’s and Surmacz added two before the Gold team went on a 10-0 run.
The Gold team came within three, 64-61, before Anthony was taken out of the game due to injury. There were no subs so Strong was traded to the Gold team. Strong made his presence known with a three-pointer coming out the gate to tie the game at 64. The game was kept within three before Smith hit a three-pointer. The Blue squad was able to take the win 79-70
For the Blue team Tim Smith led with 28 points, going 11-21 and making six out of his eight three-point shots. Brad Nuckles kept the team up front with 16 points and 17 rebounds, while transfer Chris Mitchell landed 9 out of 11 field goals, racking up 19 points.
James Anthony was all over the floor for the Gold team going 9-19 on field goals, 3-8 three-pointers, four rebounds and 21 points. Newcomer Dillion Sneed got his name on the board with 18 points, going 7-12, 4-4 on free throws, and seven rebounds, six of those on defense. Seven of the Bucs scored in the double digits.
The Gold team was out rebounded 26-42. The Blue team hit 52 percent of their shots, while the Gold team banked 42 percent.
“It went alright,” said ETSU guard Tim Smith. “There were a lot of turnovers. Fatigue (plays a part). Games and practice are totally different; in practice you get a break. It’s hard when 5-6 guys are giving 100 percent effort (the entire game). It’s a fun event, but something real. I told them (the Blue team) to get serious.”
The game was a preview of what is to come for the 2004-’05 season. Fans came out to support their Bucs, along with the cheerleaders, band and alumni from past seasons.
At halftime, awards were given out to the Homecoming canned food creations, door prizes were given out and the annual mascot basketball game was played. Bucs players were also on hand to sign autographs after the game.
Bartow thought that it was good, but feels that conditioning is a concern for the beginning of the season.
“I have 11 healthy bodies. Travis (Strong) and James (Anthony) both had cramps. (Tolliver) has a bad knee,” Bartow said.
The Bucs will face VASDA-USA on Nov. 13 at 4 p.m.

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