Former Sullivan East High School basketball star Jenna Hare is faring well at Milligan University.
TIM HAYES
Bristol Herald Courier
LOCALS IN COLLEGE NOTES
A guy who once suited up for the U got to play against IU on Saturday.
Former Union High School star Sean Cusano of the Chattanooga Mocs had six points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal before fouling out in a 7465 men's basketball loss to the Indiana University Hoosiers at famed Assembly Hall.
Zack Moore, Cusano's coach at Union, enjoyed his former pupil's moment.
"Very cool to see him play at IU," Moore said. "Probably an unreal experience for him. We all dream about playing on that big of a stage. He has put in the work and deserves it."
Moore wasn't the only one impressed.
"I was very proud of Sean's performance against Indiana," said Chattanooga assistant coach Ander Galfsky. "He took on the game and had a positive impact during his time on the court."
People are also reading... BRISTOL, VA: City warns public to stay away from former VI campus following fire TUESDAY'S HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Mike Danser gets first win as Battle's boys hoops coach; Patrick Henry's Cole Caywood gets milestone; Brynnen Pendergraft and Kinley Huff (Lee High), Zac Cornett (Holston), Branch Sword (Tennessee High) star, as do many more Fire decimates part of former Virginia Intermont College campus Dr. Tran joins staff of Health Wagon's Owens & Hill Dental Clinic HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS: Top Prospect Annsley Trivette of Abingdon (5-0) among headliners in Doc Maples Holiday Hoops Classic SATURDAY'S HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Grundy wins Bates wrestling tourney; Wise Central girls hoops coach Robin Dotson gets milestone; Avery Horne (West Ridge), Asher Chapman (Chilhowie), Ollie Carpenter (Gate City), Colin Brown (Tennessee High) also among stars THURSDAY'S HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Brynnen Pendergraft (Lee High), Reed Kirtner (George Wythe), Brody Waddle (Northwood), Drew Damron (Eastside), Adyson Moore (Richlands), Aubrey Yarber (Marion) among standouts HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: 2024-25 Cumberland District Girls Preview Capsules FRIDAY'S HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Ava Wallace (John Battle), Carson Leming (West Ridge), Jasmine Jones (Tennessee High), Lexi Shupe (Rye Cove), Zayne Reed (Gate City) among many stars Fire causes extensive damage to former Virginia Intermont buildings HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS: Deonta Mozell shoots Virginia High past Grundy in Coach Ballard Lee Invite, sets up semifinal showdown vs. Patrick Henry WEDNESDAY'S HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Travis Hooker gets first win as Lebanon's girls hoops coach; M.J. Musser (Holston), Julianna Farmer (Honaker), Tristan Faidley (John Battle) among many standouts HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS: Abingdon wins, Tennessee High falls on Day 1 of Doc Maples Holiday Hoops Tourney HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS: Virginia High posts semifinal victory over Patrick Henry in Coach Ballard Lee Invite Smyth County man, juvenile charged in connection with assault in Meadowview
The 6-foot-9, 215-pound Cusano is averaging 7.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
He helped the Union Bears win the 2021 VHSL Class 2 state championship as a sophomore before transferring to Hilton Head Prep in South Carolina.
"Nothing Sean is doing right now is surprising," Moore said. "When you combine his size, skill level, work ethic, and just how smart of a player he is, you could definitely see major success at a high level for him."
Injuries limited Cusano to three games last season as he ended up redshirting.
"It ended up being a blessing in disguise," Galfsky said. "His body has changed tremendously and he was able to get comfortable in our system."
Chattanooga is 8-5 and begins Southern Conference play on Jan. 1 at Mercer. The Mocs visit East Tennessee State on Jan. 25.
"Sean is the type of player that brings a great deal of versatility to the court," Galfsky said. "He has a lot of skill for his size and has a high basketball IQ. However, the one aspect that has been the most impressive is the way he has rebounded the ball. He has been our leading rebounder so far, having four games of nine-plus rebounds."
Local vs. Locals
West Virginia Tech earned a 79-74 men's basketball win over the University of Pikeville on Dec. 19 at the historic Williamson Fieldhouse and Southwest Virginia was well-represented in the game.
Darrin Martin (Graham) had 14 points and four rebounds for the winners.
Brady Bunch (Union) led Pikeville with a 26-point, eight-rebound performance, while Cade Looney (Grundy) finished with five points and three boards. Tigh Compton (Grundy) is the head coach of the Bears.
Brown's best
Brandon Brown of Lees-McRae College had the best performance of the season on Dec. 17 as the Bobcats earned a 102-91 men's basketball victory over Erskine.
The ex-Tennessee High standout went for 14 points, six assists, two rebounds and one steal. He is averaging 5.2 points, 2.5 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game.
Milligan Duo
Jenna Hare (Sullivan East) and Lexi Ervin (Gate City) are making contributions for the women's basketball team at Milligan University.
Hare had 10 points, six rebounds and three assists on Dec. 19 in a 93-76 loss to nationally ranked George town College of Kentucky. She is averaging 7.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
Ervin is averaging 3.1 points and 1.3 rebounds for the Buffaloes.
Cumberlands Pair
The University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, is the seventh-ranked NAIA women's basketball team in the nation and a couple of Southwest Virginia players play key roles for the Patriots.
Lakin Burke (Thomas Walker) is averaging 12.2 points and 6.0 rebounds, while LeeAnna McNulty (Honaker) is putting up 8.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest.
Peyton's place
Senior guard Peyton Carter had 15 points for Tennessee Tech in a 72-52 women's hoops win over Western Illinois on Dec. 17.
The Abingdon High School graduate is averaging 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game for the Golden Eagles.
Aubrey update
Carlow University collected an 82-60 women's basketball victory over Pitt-Greensburg on Dec. 18 with Emma Aubrey making plays to the tune of nine points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The sharpshooter who starred at Sullivan East High School is averaging 9.0 points and 2.8 rebounds.
Hall on the mat
Ferrum College freshman Avery Hall pinned his opponent in the Panthers' 3314 win over Greensboro in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference wrestling dual match.
Hall needed 4:32 to pin Taalib Grier II in the 174-pound weight class.
The former Wise County Central High School star has a 6-8 record.
Transfer Talk
A couple of former Graham High School standouts playing football at Virginia Tech have entered the transfer portal.
Wide receiver/kick returner Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw and running back Ty'Drez Clements are both looking for new homes.
Hutton honored again
Ferrum College punter Daniel Hutton (Chilhowie) continues to rack up the accolades.
He earned a second-team spot on D3football.com's All-Region squad after averaging 41.2 yards on 53 punts.
Hutton was a first-team selection on the All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference list.
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.