If you've been to a basketball game this season inside of John Treadway Gymnasium, you've likely seen two barrels just outside the main entrance and wondered what they were for. The reason for these barrels comes because of one Cyclone student athlete wanting to make a difference.

Elizabethton Cyclones basketball senior Hudson Smith has been doing more than knocking down shots, grabbing rebounds. and coming through in clutch moments for his team during the 2024-25 campaign. This year, Smith has been playing for something much bigger than himself, partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank for the Hoops Against Hunger initiative in an attempt to give back to those in the community.

Student Rourke Gearing sat down with Smith to learn how this campaign started and why he chose this avenue to give back.

"I began the Hoops for Hunger drive my Junior year, and I really wanted to make a difference in my community. I was thinking of what I could do and what tools I could use to help people," Smith stated. " I realized that a lot of people come to watch me and my teammates play at home, and that I could use that to my advantage. That's when the idea of a food drive at each basketball game came up. It's very convenient because people can walk in, donate food, and then watch us play."

Smith began the campaign this year during the very first home contest of the season against the Volunteer Falcons.

When looking at different options, Smith decided that Second Harvest Food Bank would be a great fit because of their work in the area.

"People can also go directly to Second Harvest and donate food items that they have, and they can give it to those in need. On the other hand, if someone is in need, they are able to go and sign up there to receive food. At the end of the season, I take all the food that has been donated throughout and give it to Second Harvest to help them assist other people."

More recently, Second Harvest provided aid to those in Northeast Tennessee that had been affected by Hurricane Helene. "When our community and other areas in Tennessee were hit with flooding, Second Harvest helped out a lot, helping those who had lost everything and did not have anything to eat," Smith stated.

With Smith being a senior, he is already looking at potential avenues for this initiative to continue even after he graduates.

"I want to figure out a way to keep this going for years to come, and maybe even turn it into a school sponsored project. We would be able to store the donated food somewhere in the school, and even provide food to students in the school that are in need."

Smith says that he just wanted to help out in any way possible, and that this has allowed him to do that. "I honestly didn't expect for this to become as big as it has. Seeing that the project I started is actually helping other people right now is very rewarding to me." 

Fans will have another opportunity to donate to this wonderful cause on Friday night when the Cyclones take on the Tennessee High Vikings. All spectators who bring an item to donate will receive a discount of two dollars off general admission price. Eligible items to be donated include non-perishable food items as well as canned food. 

Come out Friday to not only support Cyclone Basketball, but also support a great initiative.

JV Girls | 4 PM
JV Boys | 5 PM
Varsity Girls | 6:30 PM
Varsity Boys | 8 PM