Minor League Basketball Team Schedules Tryouts, Fundraising Event

SPRINGFIELD, MA — Fresh off its championship of the East Coast Basketball League (ECBL) Mid-Atlantic Conference, the Western Mass Zombies are already looking ahead to the 2022 season, with an upcoming player tryout and a comedy night fundraiser.

Tryouts are scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 26 from 2-5 p.m. at the South End Community Center, 99 Marble Street, Springfield. Cost is $100 to try out; registration for a tryout slot may be made here.

"The Zombies are coming off a great season and are looking to continue to build our franchise," head coach and general manager Brian Stasaitis said. "We are looking to add some key components to our franchise who are ready to get to work and continue our winning tradition."

The team has already announced the signing of four key returnees from the 2021 conference championship squad, including guards Tyler Desrosiers and Marcel Brown, who have been named co-captains.

Desrosiers averaged 18.8 points per game, including 22 points a game in the playoffs. Brown averaged 7.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest, scoring 11 points per game in postseason.

Also returning are guard Robby Jones, the team's top free throw shooter at 89.5 percent who averaged 11.5 points per game, and 6-foot-10 center Kevin McLaughlin, who saw limited minutes last season but twice scored 16 points in a game.

The ECBL is known for its fast-paced, end-to-end, non-stop action. The Zombies averaged 123.1 points per game in their first season in the league.

NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry, a member of the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, has joined the organization as a special advisor to the owner and general manager.

"Rick is going to provide a new outlook for our organization and be a great reference and resource for our players," Stasaitis said.

Comedy Show

A night of laughs is on tap with a comedy show fundraiser at the community center on Saturday, Oct. 23, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the 18-and-older show are just $20, and may be obtained here or by visiting Zombie Hideout, 362 Cooley Street, Springfield.

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