The Talladega College Men's Basketball team, under first-year Head Coach Jameus Hartsfield, is set to open the 2025–2026 season this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. against William Carey University in The Jimmy Faulkner Classic. The Tornadoes will return to action tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. to face host Faulkner University.
Hartsfield, who takes the helm for his inaugural season at Talladega, is joined by Assistant Coach Patrick Scipio and Graduate Assistants Andre Payne Jr. and Wilford Campbell. Together, they are focused on laying the foundation for a competitive and disciplined program built on effort, character, and consistency.
Coach Hartsfield's expectations are clear — to reach 20-plus wins, earn a spot in the conference tournament, and qualify for the national tournament. He describes this year's team as "a fun group" with an inside-and-out style of play, capable of scoring in the paint and creating opportunities on the perimeter.
"We're still working to build our chemistry," Hartsfield said. "But I'm proud of how resilient this team has been. They're eventful — you never quite know what you're going to get, and that makes them exciting to coach and watch."
Beyond basketball, the Tornadoes have set a strong academic standard for themselves with a team goal of achieving a 3.2 GPA or higher.
Among the returning players, Derek Burditt, a 6'2 junior guard from New Orleans, Louisiana, has emerged as the vocal leader of the group. Hartsfield praised the team's interior play and point guard depth as key strengths entering the season.
"All of our returners will play significant roles this year," Hartsfield noted. "They know what it means to wear Talladega across their chest."
Two newcomers expected to make an early impact are Eric Howard Jr., a 6'0 guard from Marietta, Georgia, and Treyon Delmore, a 6'3 forward from Gonzales, Louisiana.
The Tornadoes are ready to take the court and set the tone for an exciting new era of Talladega College basketball as they begin their journey today at The Jimmy Faulkner Classic.
