Professional basketball came to Arcadia on Saturday, Feb. 28 with the debut of the Hamilton County Huskers. The team is part of The Basketball League (TBL) and played its first-ever game against the Lebanon Leprechauns at the SAC Arena. (Craig Adkins)
By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
ARCADIA – The Hamilton County Huskers hosted their inaugural The Basketball League (TBL) game at the SAC Arena, the former home of Hamilton Heights Husky basketball. Family and friends of the Huskers and Lebanon Leprechauns saw the Leprechauns spoil the first TBL game for Hamilton County, 125-111.
“With the people in this community, I’m being reintroduced to the nicest people in the world. To come back here, they’re just wonderful,” said Doug Mitchell, team owner and general manager. “I almost forgot how genuinely and sincere they are.”
Lebanon got eight into double figures, including 2018 Warren Central grad Antwaan Cushingberry scoring 13 and grabbing seven rebounds. The Huskers had four scoring in double digits with Justin Williams’ game-high 28 leading. Hamilton Heights alum (2015) Grant Weatherford scored two off the bench in his homecoming.
On Saturday night, it all came to fruition. Former Hamilton Heights (1975) and Butler Bulldog (1979) standout Doug Mitchell has brought professional hoops back to where it all began for the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Famer (2022).
As a player at Heights, Mitchell scored 1,167 points. He led the Huskies to a sectional championship in 1975 and he was named Hamilton County Player of the Year. He then went on to a four-year career at Butler University.
“It’s an entirely different experience not coaching, being a team manager and owner. It’s been so rewarding and being back here is special,” added Mitchell.
Mitchell made his mark on Indiana High School basketball from 1992-2018 at North Central in Indianapolis, winning 428 games and capturing two Class 4A state titles (1999, 2010) and a runner-up in 2007. He coached nine Indiana all-stars and four all-Americans, including two McDonald’s All-Americans. And now as team owner, it’s time to give back to the community.
The idea came in October and Mitchell has been hard at work to put the product together for the community where he grew up. The Huskers are the third team in Indiana. Along with Lebanon in its fourth season, the Kokomo Bobkats are in their sixth season. There was a fourth team in Medora, but that team no longer exists due to team issues.
League owner and CEO Evelyn Magley said The Basketball League’s main intentions are to bring a world class basketball experience to communities and their fans.
“Dr. James Naismith said that basketball was invented and played in Kansas, but it was reared in Indiana,” said Magley. “This state is amazing for basketball. The communities understand the game and they also have a great understanding of community and family. This is a great place to bring in another team into the TBL.”
The reach of each game being broadcast is available in 145 countries around the world. With that being said, players can be evaluated quickly and be on their way to another team in another city or country in a matter of hours or days.
“We have agents and scouts, along with the G League and the NBA that are looking at our players,” Magley said. “You just never know with it going out to 145 countries, it takes this community around the world, giving everyone an opportunity to go to the next level.”
The objective is to grow to even more teams in Indiana. There is plenty of talent out there.
“I think we can grow Central Indiana,” said Mitchell. “Why not. Where are all of the players? I’ve seen them. They made me not sleep at night, gave me many sleepless nights.”
The TBL allows players the opportunity to make a living playing the game they love, while also working in youth clinics, non-profit organizations and so many other areas in the local community.
“They are intricately involved in the communities that they’re playing in,” added Magley. “To have these local stars come out and be a part of it just means even more.”
The more word gets out about the Hamilton County Huskers and the TBL, the more basketball fans will head to Arcadia to see this team.
“People are coming out to the game and it’s bringing communities together,” said Evelyn Magley.
