Eric Ayala provides boost to Shell Shock ahead of TBT Tournament quarterfinals

Ahmed Ghafir
Jul 28
2 min read

Shell Shock’s run in the TBT Tournament continues on Monday when they take on Best Virginia today, July 28. Tipoff is set for 6 PM in Charleston, West Virginia on FS1. But Maryland also enters Monday’s quarterfinal matchup with a big boost after the team announced Eric Ayala will rejoin the team after missing the opening games due to injury.

While this marked a return to Shell Shock for Morsell, Monday marks the debut of the former Maryland guard on the Terp-alum roster after Ayala spent the the last three months with Aleticos de San German, the same program he began his professional career with. In eight starts and 29 appearances this season, Ayala averaged just over seven points in 15 minutes. He previously played for Halcones Rojos in Mexico where he started in 23 games and appeared in 28 while averaging 12.6 points per game.

Ayala’s return fills a key need with the roster lacking a true point guard as Ronald March, Darryl Morsell and Diamond Stone have led the way thus far. Shell Shock escaped the first two matchups after winning by a combined four points before a block then three in transition cemented a 68-62 win vs. NXT Era Elite to set the stage for the quarterfinal matchup.

Now back in their backyard, James Reese V, a former guard at North Texas and South Carolina, leads Best Virginia into Monday’s matchup after scoring at least 20 points in all three games thus far. He’s one of a handful of non-Mountaineer grads along the roster with forward Edardo Andre and Toby Okani among those on the roster.

The winner heads to the semifinals on Thursday, July 31 at 6 PM and will face either Sideline Cancer or Eberlein Drive.

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