— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — In the midst of homecoming week and the Sun Belt Conference opener for Marshall’s football team this weekend, the Herd basketball teams will grab an earlier spotlight.
The teams began practice last week, but they’ll move the action to 3rd Avenue in downtown Huntington Thursday night for a third annual Hoops in Huntington event.
Hoops in Huntington features basketball action on 3rd Avenue adjacent to Pullman Square, with a court and baskets installed.
The event provides a first look at both teams for fans.
“Hoops in Huntington has become a staple event for Marshall Athletics and is one of the most unique events you will see across the country,” Associate Athletic Director for Annual Giving, Ticket Sales and Fan Engagement Ryan Crisp said. “We are excited to showcase our men’s and women’s basketball teams and to give our fans a chance to meet the new players and coaches. This free event is something I know our fans look forward to every year.”
Both MU teams have new head coaches. The men’s team is being led by former Marshall player and seven-year assistant Cornelius Jackson, who was hired following the departure of former coach Dan D’Antoni.
The Marshall women are now led by former Transylvania University head coach Juli Fulks, who was hired in April to replace Kim Caldwell. Caldwell had just led the Herd to a Sun Belt Conference Championship in her first and only season in Huntington before being hired as head coach at Tennessee.
Fulks won the 2023 NCAA Division III National Championship at Transylvania.
Fans are encouraged to come to the event site at 7 p.m. for a chance to meet both basketball teams, enjoy games and food trucks. Action on the court begins at 8 p.m.
Both Marshall basketball teams open the season October 27 at the Henderson Center against the University of Pikeville.
— — — — —
Jackson has named three seniors as this year’s team captains in Nate Martin, Obinna Anochili-Killen and Mikal Dawson.
The 6-foot-8 Martin played last season at Marshall after transferring from Sun Belt Conference rival Texas State. He averaged a double-double of 10.8 points and 10.1 rebounds last season. Martin brought down a season-high 16 rebounds in a home loss to James Madison. He scored a season-high 24 points in a January home win over James Madison.
The 6-8 Anochili-Killen is a three-year starter for the Herd and averaged 14.4 points and 5.9 rebounds last season. He scored 30 points in a home win over Coastal Carolina and contributed a season-high 12 rebounds in a December loss to Duquesne.
Dawson, a Huntington native who played at both Huntington High and Huntington Prep, transferred to Marshall from Akron.
He played in 35 games for the Zips last season, starting 13. Dawson averaged 5.3 points and 2.5 rebounds.