WHITEFORD TWP, MI (WTOL) – Fifteen years after being a basketball star at Whiteford, Anthony Miracola is still making a name for himself on the court after his dad heard a unique opportunity on the radio.
It was a small ball national tournament, with the grand prize being an all-inclusive trip for two to the NBA All-Star Weekend.
“Growing up I used to have one I always played and I was always really good, I enjoyed doing it,” Miracola said. “I said, ‘Hey man, I should try that.'”
However, the tournament version wasn’t your typical arcade pop-a-shot. The backboard is flimsy and made of cardboard, so adjusting to it was a challenge for Miracola.
“The machines are usually a bigger, heavy-duty machine and you can kind of get in more of a rhythm on them. With this being that it’s so flimsy, it took me a lot of time, effort and practice to figure out how to adapt to it and stay in rhythm,” Miracola said.
You get one minute to make as many baskets as you can. In the first 45 seconds, each shot made is worth two points. In the last 15 seconds, each basket is worth three points. Continue reading here