The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Kick Off Basketball Season with Annual Hoops at the Hill Event
10/17/2019 10:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM- The UAB men's and women's basketball programs kicked off the 2019-20 season with the annual homecoming Hoops at the Hill event Thursday evening.
The show started off with an homage to That 70's Show as a nod to UAB's 50th anniversary celebration. The women's team was introduced first as players ran out of an inflatable Blaze head while fire shot into the night sky and smoke filled the floor.
Head coach Randy Norton spoke about his squad and their upcoming season and redshirt senior guard Trista Magee assured the crowd, "we are awesome, I'm telling you."
Next the men's team was introduced as players threw t-shirts into the crowd and head coach Rob Ehsan made a grand entrance in the classic 1969 Chevy Blazer. Following the introduction Coach Ehsan had sophomore forward Tamell Pearson show the fans how to take a charge as his teammates swarmed him on the ground.
The UAB spirit team came out with high flying stunts followed by a dance number by the Golden Girls featuring Blaze.
After the crowd was energized the real entertainment began. The men's team came out for the lip sync battle in throwback suits singing hits from The Jackson 5, The Beatles, Marvin Gaye and ending with a crowd sing along to Lean on Me as players ran into the crowd and put their arms around each other swaying to the music.
The women's team came on next and refused to be overshadowed. In the center of the floor stood Elvis Presley look-alike, Rachael Childress. The women were dressed in their best hippie attire as Trista Magee led the crowd in a sing along to Sweet Caroline sealing them the win of the lip sync contest.
After the lip sync contest came the skills challenges. On a cold and windy night two women's players and two men's players faced off in the 3-point challenge. Miyah Barnes and Rachael Childress representing the women and Jalen Benjamin and Tyreek Scott-Grayson representing the men. In the end, Barnes and Benjamin would square off for the final prize and Barnes would walk away as the 3-point champion.
The evening would wrap up with the highly anticipated dunk contest featuring Zack Bryant, Makhtar Gueye, Tamell Pearson and Jude Akabueze. Bryant would advance to the finals after taking off from the free throw line and jamming one home. Akabueze would advance after wowing the crowd by dunking two basketballs at once. It would be Akabueze who would take home the crown of dunk contest champion after jumping over teammate John Coleman and finishing with authority.
The UAB women's basketball team take on Miles College on Oct. 29 in an exhibition game at Bartow Arena.
Secure your women's basketball season tickets by purchasing the 2019-20 Gold Card for $65 here. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB women's basketball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WBB) and Instagram (UAB_WBBall).
The show started off with an homage to That 70's Show as a nod to UAB's 50th anniversary celebration. The women's team was introduced first as players ran out of an inflatable Blaze head while fire shot into the night sky and smoke filled the floor.
Head coach Randy Norton spoke about his squad and their upcoming season and redshirt senior guard Trista Magee assured the crowd, "we are awesome, I'm telling you."
Next the men's team was introduced as players threw t-shirts into the crowd and head coach Rob Ehsan made a grand entrance in the classic 1969 Chevy Blazer. Following the introduction Coach Ehsan had sophomore forward Tamell Pearson show the fans how to take a charge as his teammates swarmed him on the ground.
The UAB spirit team came out with high flying stunts followed by a dance number by the Golden Girls featuring Blaze.
After the crowd was energized the real entertainment began. The men's team came out for the lip sync battle in throwback suits singing hits from The Jackson 5, The Beatles, Marvin Gaye and ending with a crowd sing along to Lean on Me as players ran into the crowd and put their arms around each other swaying to the music.
The women's team came on next and refused to be overshadowed. In the center of the floor stood Elvis Presley look-alike, Rachael Childress. The women were dressed in their best hippie attire as Trista Magee led the crowd in a sing along to Sweet Caroline sealing them the win of the lip sync contest.
After the lip sync contest came the skills challenges. On a cold and windy night two women's players and two men's players faced off in the 3-point challenge. Miyah Barnes and Rachael Childress representing the women and Jalen Benjamin and Tyreek Scott-Grayson representing the men. In the end, Barnes and Benjamin would square off for the final prize and Barnes would walk away as the 3-point champion.
The evening would wrap up with the highly anticipated dunk contest featuring Zack Bryant, Makhtar Gueye, Tamell Pearson and Jude Akabueze. Bryant would advance to the finals after taking off from the free throw line and jamming one home. Akabueze would advance after wowing the crowd by dunking two basketballs at once. It would be Akabueze who would take home the crown of dunk contest champion after jumping over teammate John Coleman and finishing with authority.
The UAB women's basketball team take on Miles College on Oct. 29 in an exhibition game at Bartow Arena.
Secure your women's basketball season tickets by purchasing the 2019-20 Gold Card for $65 here. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB women's basketball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WBB) and Instagram (UAB_WBBall).
Players Mentioned
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