Marietta Storm's Garrett pleased with turnout at open tryouts

Published on March 20, 2006 under World Basketball Association (WBA)
Marietta Storm News Release


On Friday, March 10, 2006, basketball hopefuls of all walks of life descended on Marietta, GA's Life University to tryout for a spot on the WBA's Marietta Storm first season roster.

Formerly Life University's Eagle's Nest gymnasium now the home of the Marietta Storm is where the 40 players from cities all over including; Texas, Alabama, South Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida and even right around the block came to prove they had what it takes to make the pros. Storm General Manager/Head Coach Lionel Garrett was pleasantly surprised by the turnout for the first year team's open tryouts. "We really only expected 15-20 guys, so we were very pleased to get 40 players."

Garrett and his staff put the Storm hopefuls through two sessions of rigorous drills before dividing them into teams for controlled scrimmages. Garrett explained the tough drills and practice-style format would reveal each player's conditioning level and willingness to endure. The scrimmages would also give players a chance to demonstrate their basketball knowledge and skills.

Interestingly, a pleasant aura of camaraderie seemed to lift the spirit of the players at the tryout. Despite the obvious real competition for roster spots, they encouraged one another, often clapping in unison at the conclusion of strenuous drills. The goal of the Storm coaching staff is to develop a team talented enough to compete for a championship in the WBA, and the collection of individuals at Friday's tryout were already feeding off the importance of working together.

The tryout was impressive for the owners, spectators and even the league's president, Leroy McMath, who was in attendance for the event. McMath commented on the advance level of talent from some of the players.

Coach Garrett was also quite pleased with the player's intensity and saw several players that really opened his eyes. "We had some definite surprises today and I will be inviting a few guys back to vet camp in a couple of weeks."

The Marietta Storm will open up its inaugural season on April 22nd at home against the Mississippi Hardhats, the 2005 WBA runner-ups. All Storm home games will be played on the campus of Life University.

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