West Virginia guard Chase Harler (14) drives around Oklahoma State guard Isaac Likekele (13) during an NCAA college basketball game in Stillwater, Okla., Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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WHEELING — It’s been quite some time since Wheeling Central grad Chase Harler played a game in his hometown.
That will change tonight as Best Virginia, West Virginia University’s alumni team competing in The Basketball Tournament, plays an exhibition game at Wheeling Park at 7 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online at bestvirginiatbt.com or at the door and kids 13 and under get in for free.
It will also be Harler’s first time playing at Wheeling Park since his first year in a Maroon Knights’ uniform.
“I played there as a freshman and I kind of had my breakout game,” Harler said of the Palace on the Hill. “I scored 34 points that night. We played a Blue and Gold game at WesBanco Arena a few years ago, as well, and it was a great turnout. I’m hoping for the same (tonight).”
Harler, Cameron alum Logan Routt and the rest of the Best Virginia squad will be taking on TBT alternate and MEC alumni team, the Underground Kings.
The Kings’ roster consists of former West Liberty standout David Dennis, along with Will Voorhees, Tommie Bolte, Tanner McGrew, Matt Bingaya, Jason Perry-Murray, Maurice Whitehurst and Tyihai Byers.
Best Virginia is coming off an exhibition win over the Southern West Virginia All-Stars on Wednesday in Beckley, with 2010 NBA Draft pick of the L.A. Lakers, Devin Ebanks leading the opposition.
“It’s going to be cool because I believe Ebanks will be in town and will play for (the Underground Kings) on Friday,” Harler said. “We had a good turnout in Beckley and I expect a better turnout in Wheeling.”
Best Virginia is led by head coach James Long, the current coach of West Virginia Tech. He is assisted by Wheeling University assistant coach Da’Sean Butler and Morgantown coach Dave Tallman.
John Flowers, Kevin Jones, Juwan Staten, Jaysean Paige, Tarik Phillip, Sagaba Konate, Nate Adrian, Jonathan Holton and Teyvon Myers are some other standouts for team Best Virginia.
“This is going to be cool for everyone, especially the parents who grew up watching West Virginia basketball,” Harler said. “We’ll have some WVU legends in the Ohio Valley playing competitive basketball and I think it’s going to draw a good crowd.”
With this being the squad’s final tuneup before opening TBT play Saturday, July 17 in Charleston against WoCo Showtime (Wofford’s alumni team), Best Virginia will be looking to not only put on a show for the fans but to grow as a team, as well.
“We mostly just want to have fun but we have a game plan going in,” Harler said. “We want to build chemistry and work on what we need to work on and build relationships on the floor, especially on the defensive side. The better you can guard, the better you’ll be in the TBT.”
When the game ends, the fun won’t as players from Best Virginia will be hosting a camp at The Highlands Sports Complex on Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for ages 5-16.
The youth camp will cost $80 per person and participants will pay at the door and register on the team’s website.
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