Basketball season is quickly approaching on the Hilltop as both the men’s and women’s talents were on display at the annual Red vs. White Scrimmage Sunday afternoon at Renaissance Coliseum.
The ceremonies began with the men’s scrimmage, a 15-minute game that displayed Bradley’s new players as well as the “all gas, no brakes” playing style that head coach Brian Wardle has preached since coming to Bradley. The team was split into Red and White units, and were coached by assistant coaches Jimmie Foster and Mike Bargan while Wardle served as more of a rover, using timeouts to go over teaching points with both teams.
“As coaches, this is our favorite time of the year,” Wardle said. “Teaching and competing and trying to mold a team together is really what we love to do and are passionate about. So, this is kind of our classroom – this court – and it was fun being out there teaching these guys today.”
The offense looks to run at a quicker pace this season after adding freshman point guards Jayden Hodgson from Australia and Darrell Brown Jr. from Memphis. Both Hodgson and Brown displaued a lot of promise in the scrimmage, demonstrating good court awareness and the ability to penetrate to the paint.
The scrimmage also gave Bradley fans a first look at Alex Foster, the transfer big man from Texas Tech, who sat out last year. Foster showed his strength on the inside and his ability to finish under the basket.
The brightest spot of the day was Antoine Pittman, the sophomore from Rockford, who showed marked improvement from last year. He was explosive while driving to the basket and was pesky on the defensive end.
The men’s scrimmage was followed by a dunk contest featuring Pittman, as well as freshman Jerome Merritt and Utah State transfer JoJo McGlaston. Pittman and Merritt earned spots in the final after some sensational throwdowns. Pittman led off the finale with an impressive between-the-legs alley oop. Merritt followed by missing his first two attempts on a crazy behind-the-back oop, then brought out 6’ 10” freshman center Koch Bar and dunked over him. Pittman won after the always-reliable fan noise vote.
The women’s team continued the festivities with its scrimmage, its first under new head coach Andrea Gorski. The women played two five-minute halves, and though they struggled to score early, they came alive toward the end of the scrimmage.
“We were very tight, which is typical of a team that’s trying to learn a new system of play,” Gorski said. “Once they get more comfortable, I think you’ll see a much looser, freer team out there playing.”
The bright spot on the women’s side was junior Danielle Brewer. The guard proved her worth at multiple positions while handling most of the scoring. Like the men’s team, the women are searching for a new point guard, and freshman Alona Johnson from Milwaukee looked impressive.
Gorski also said the team had several recruits visiting Sunday and said it was a great atmosphere for them to experience.
The women’s scrimmage was followed by a three-point contest. Each of the teams consisted of a women’s player, a men’s player and a member of the Red Sea, Bradley’s student fan group.
