By: Gabe Maturo

Last summer, Sideline Cancer fell just one game short of the $1 million.

In a heartbreaking loss to the Golden Eagles in the Championship Game, Sideline Cancer lost 78-73 in the Elam Ending.

This year, however, they’ll look to flip the script and get their first title.

Sideline Cancer has always been the underdog.

Last year, they were a 22-seed. This year, they’re the number one seed in the West Virginia regional.  

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Your No. 1 seed in West Virginia: SIDELINE CANCER 💜<a href="https://twitter.com/SidelineTBT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SidelineTBT</a> <a href="https://t.co/uc4Key2yC0">pic.twitter.com/uc4Key2yC0</a></p>&mdash; TBT (@thetournament) <a href="https://twitter.com/thetournament/status/1407075890698276867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“We have always been the underdog so this year is different,” said GM Billy Clapper. “We have had a lot of success in previous years as the underdog. We have never been in any situation other than being the underdog.”

“We’ve been given this platform to be ranked as a higher team and we have to back it up. We’re going from being the hunters to the hunted.” 

Returning to Sideline Cancer are Remy Abell, Mo Creek, Eric Thompson, and Marcus Keene, all of which played a huge role in the team’s run to the championship game last summer. 

“We have really really good players and that will be dangerous,” said Clapper. “Six of our guys have already played with us before. To have six guys coming back that have played together is huge.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We get to watch <a href="https://twitter.com/Marcus3Keene?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Marcus3Keene</a> play basketball again in 10 DAYS‼️<br><br>First game for <a href="https://twitter.com/SidelineTBT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SidelineTBT</a>: July 18 at 5pm EDT<a href="https://t.co/FD9kpiKBLz">pic.twitter.com/FD9kpiKBLz</a></p>&mdash; TBT (@thetournament) <a href="https://twitter.com/thetournament/status/1413161530405892097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

With a handful of new additions, Sideline Cancer is hoping to add the final pieces to what was an already stacked roster.

They’ve already added back sharpshooter Raymond Cowels, who averaged 15 points per game while shooting nearly 41% from the three during Sideline Cancer’s TBT 2019 run.

Trey Lewis is a new face to the program. The 6’2” point guard brings six years of professional experience in the NBA’s G League and overseas in Germany, France, and Israel.

“I think he will be one of the biggest shockers to play in TBT,” said Clapper. “Trey Lewis has been a high-level overseas pro for years. He will surprise a lot of people.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">TBT Tournament bout to be CRAZY this year 🔥🔥🔥👀👀👀</p>&mdash; Trey Lewis (@Treylew3) <a href="https://twitter.com/Treylew3/status/1400904048774160388?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Rounding out the changes to the roster is DeVonte Upson. The explosive big man is returning to Sideline Cancer after taking last year off. In TBT 2019, Upson averaged 8.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game over the course of the team’s three-game stretch.

“Devonte Upson was so good in TBT 2 years ago,” said Clapper. “Having him back is huge.”

Sideline Cancer is the longest-standing TBT team – they’ve played in every tournament since the inaugural TBT in 2014. 

A large majority of the players – six of them – have played for Sideline in previous years. This is a common trend for the team to continue to see guys returning year after year.

“I think we are real,” said Clapper. “We play for something bigger than ourselves. The Griffith Family Foundation has made it a point to treat our players right. The players get a lot of support from social media supporters and fans to the people that are involved in Sideline Cancer.”

“The players have also made a connection with each other. They all have special bonds that make them want to come back to Sideline and play with each other.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">For the 8th straight year, <a href="https://twitter.com/SidelineTBT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SidelineTBT</a> will play to raise awareness &amp; find a cure for pancreatic cancer 💜 <a href="https://t.co/CFK2v9TrlR">pic.twitter.com/CFK2v9TrlR</a></p>&mdash; TBT (@thetournament) <a href="https://twitter.com/thetournament/status/1410760116727603203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Each year they’ve continued to improve and build their brand, raising more awareness for pancreatic cancer along the way. 

After last year’s impressive tournament run, they are now nationally recognized as one of TBT’s best.

As the level in TBT rises year after year, so does the difficulty that comes with being a GM. 

“There is a difference between just trying to play in TBT and trying to win in TBT,” said Clapper. “We are trying to win in TBT. We made that transition in 2019. There’s a big difference.”

Clapper has been the GM of Sideline Cancer from the very start in 2014. As most would guess, being a GM of an established TBT team can get difficult at times. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1 Week today the ball will be tossed up and we will begin our journey in <a href="https://twitter.com/thetournament?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thetournament</a> ! Sideline Cancer family we appreciate all of your support and hope that we can make a special run in 2021! Tune in next Sunday July 18th at 5 PM ET on <a href="https://twitter.com/espn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@espn</a> 3! <a href="https://twitter.com/sideline_cancer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sideline_cancer</a> <a href="https://t.co/fMQaMr5BPs">pic.twitter.com/fMQaMr5BPs</a></p>&mdash; Sideline Cancer TBT (@SidelineTBT) <a href="https://twitter.com/SidelineTBT/status/1414333647415558148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I have more connections now than I had in 2014,” said Clapper. “But, it’s become more competitive and harder to get guys to play every year. There are conflicts with NBA contracts, pro contracts, the Big3, other teams competing for your players, and injuries. There are really 6 things going against you every year.”

Not only has Sideline Cancer made a difference on the court, but they’ve made an even bigger one off the court.

On June 19th, the Griffith Family Foundation hosted a “Sideline Cancer Day” where over 100 kids were able to attend a free basketball clinic – all to continue spreading awareness for the cause.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1 Week today these basketball courts at Lakemont Park in Altoona, PA will host the inaugural <a href="https://twitter.com/sideline_cancer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sideline_cancer</a> day!<br><br>Come join us from 9 am to Noon! A few spots remain for our free basketball clinic for grades 7-12 DM us for details! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SIDELINECANCERDAY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SIDELINECANCERDAY</a> <a href="https://t.co/yun2Jczf2z">pic.twitter.com/yun2Jczf2z</a></p>&mdash; Sideline Cancer TBT (@SidelineTBT) <a href="https://twitter.com/SidelineTBT/status/1403721348975837188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I proposed the idea of Sideline Cancer Day on a call that we did back in early May,” said Clapper. “I proposed the idea and then 2 weeks later Jordan Griffith set the date for Sideline Cancer Day.”

“Jordan was a driving force into making Sideline Cancer Day a reality. We even did a TV segment on the local news in June about it. There were a lot of things promoting it.”

Mo Creek –  who hit the game-winning shot in the Semifinals last summer against Overseas Elite – attended the event and was one of more than 20 “coaches” that helped kids in grades 7-12 improve their basketball skills. 

“The kids had an awesome experience getting to meet new people and learn new things,” said Clapper.

 <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Since 2018 our Sideline Cancer family has gotten to watch <a href="https://twitter.com/Mo_Creek?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mo_Creek</a> wear the purple. There have been some special moments during that time, among them was last Saturday and other players from Central PA shared the court with him as part of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SidelineCancerDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SidelineCancerDay</a>! <a href="https://t.co/Dv3jxRm0m1">pic.twitter.com/Dv3jxRm0m1</a></p>&mdash; Sideline Cancer TBT (@SidelineTBT) <a href="https://twitter.com/SidelineTBT/status/1408800745126871044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Cathy and Jordan Griffith also spoke to the kids about how to make a difference off the court too, by living with an “I Can” attitude and to spread positivity throughout the community.

Sideline Cancer Day was just one of many examples of how this TBT program has put the words “Bigger than Basketball” into action.

“I think the event was successful enough that we are planning to do it next year,” said Clapper. “My goal is to see it happen again.”

“We’re just really excited for the opportunity to represent the Griffith Family Foundation again and play for something bigger than basketball,” said Clapper. “We will try our best to win a championship.”

To donate to the Griffith Family Foundation and to help raise awareness for pancreatic cancer, please click the following link: https://griffithfamilyfoundation.org/