Big Squad Family Travel Basketball Teams Come Home Champions

The Big Squad Family travel basketball teams headed to Missouri for the Memorial Day Classic in May and to Atlanta for the KB Sports National Warm-Up in June and came home winners representing Hardeman County well. The U13 and U8 teams that competed included boys with coaches from across Hardeman County.

Coach Reginald Sain loves basketball. According to him, he has “played basketball all my life”. That love of basketball and wanting to give area youth a fun outlet during the summer while teaching character skills were motivations for him starting Big Squad Family. After coming up with the idea for the organization, Sain reached out to friends Tay Cross and Reso Rivers to partner with him and almost six years later, Big Squad Family is going strong.

“After I asked if they would be a part of it and they agreed, I never looked back,” said Sain who shared a goal of the organization. “It’s to help develop the kids and to give them something to look forward to over the summer.”

All three men, along with Demetris Pugh, Jamario Anderson, and Adarius Murphy, are coaching the young players this season teaching them the skill of the game and sharing wisdom for life.

“We use this to teach the kids life lessons and to help them grow to become respectful young men,” said Coach Sain, who hopes the players take more than basketball away from the experience. “Growth, development, brotherhood, and understanding that anything is possible when you work at it. We are family. It’s bigger than basketball.”

Big Squad Family Photo Gallery

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The U8 team won the championship in Missouri, and both the U13 and U8 teams won the KB Sports National Warm-Up championship that was held last weekend, June 28 – 30, 2024, in Atlanta. As a result of the performance in Atlanta, both teams won spots to play in the national tournament that will be held in Atlanta, July 26-28, 2024. Coach Sain shared some highlights from the KB Sports National Warm-Up.

“Al McKinnie Jr., on the younger team, had a great weekend as he dominated the boards and scored in the paint,” said Coach Sain. “Amir Woods played great defense and got a game winning tip to take the older team to the championship.”

Along with noting the accomplishments of those two players goes with recognizing all the players on both teams. Their coaches as well as family and friends are extremely proud of what the young men have already achieved this summer.

“The support from the parents, family, and friends is a different feeling. When we come to the gym, everybody knows who we are because it be so many of us. It’s a great feeling to look in the crowd and see a huge fan base,” said Sain, who appreciates everyone who comes out to support the players.

Before the teams return to Atlanta for the national tournament, they will have some play day games to help them prepare and get ready to take on the competition.

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