Murphy Madness kicked off the 2014-2015 basketball season for both Middle Tennessee Blue Raider basketball teams Thursday night.
The three-point shootout kicked off the event. The women’s team consisted of freshman guard Abbey Sissom (15 points), junior guard Brea Edwards (16 points) and sophomore forward Caya Williams (five points).
The men’s squad included senior guard Marcus Tarrance (20 points), freshman guard Giddy Potts (nine points) and junior forward Darnell Harris (17 points). The men’s squad won the three-point shootout by a 46-36 margin.
Following the three-point contest, the Blue Raider men’s team took the court in a dunk contest.
The contestants included sophomore forward Reggie Upshaw, junior guard Perrin Buford, junior guard JaQawn Raymond and junior guard D.J. Jones.
Buford and Jones stole the show with athletic and flashy dunks, as they battled in the last round in front of an all-star cast of judges composed of the likes of former MT running back Phillip Tanner and former MT forward Shawn J0nes.
Perrin Buford was the victor in the dunk contest, after a strong effort by the smaller Jones.
The Blue versus White game capped off Thursday’s festivities. The teams were composed of members of the men’s and women’s teams in an inter squad matchup.
At halftime the Blue team lead 25-21 in a loose game that was, of course, meant to entertain the crowd. During the halftime break, Reggie Upshaw led a group of players in a dance off against JaQawn Raymond and a team of dancers.
Following the dance competition that saw MT head coach Kermit Davis get involved, the blue team pulled away and won the exhibition contest by a final score of 61-39.
More importantly about Thursday’s Murphy Madness, both squads wanted to broadcast new talent and the $12.64-million renovations made to the Murphy Center.
Talking about the expectations for this upcoming season, Brea Edwards had high expectations for the MT women’s team.
“I expect great things. We’ve been working hard at practice and we’re going to do real well this year.”
Men’s head coach Kermit Davis had much to say when talking about Reggie Upshaw and the program as a whole for the upcoming season.
“He’s got to lead our team and his work habits have gotten so much better,” Davis said. “He has to play like an all-league player.”
“I’ve enjoyed coming to the gym with them everyday,” Davis added. “They’ve got a real good work ethic and they have been very receptive to coaching. We hope that now our program has staying power.”
The MT men’s squad takes on Martin-Methodist in an exhibition game November 10 at the Murphy Center.
Middle Tennessee women’s basketball battles Martin-Methodist November 6 in the Murphy Center.
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To contact sports editor Connor Grott, email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @Connor_Grott
