Billy Hungrecker (1961-2011)
Worthing Thunder Basketball Club today mourns the passing of one of its greatest three-point shooters, Billy Hungrecker. Who died of a heart attack at the age of 50 in Las Vegas.
Hungrecker arrived in Worthing for the 1984/85 season, and instantly became a hit on the court for his deadly range from three-point land, and his laid-back attitude off it.
After the Bears went into hibernation in the 1986/87 season - they returned for the 1987/88 season - with Hungrecker becoming player/coach. It was in this season where the American delivered his most heroic performance in a Worthing uniform.
He poured in a record-setting 73 points against a strong Plymouth side at the Worthing Leisure Centre, as that feat helped the Bears to a memorable 119-110 victory as they finished the season unbeaten at 18-0. Worthing defeated Brixton at Wembley in the same season to become National League champions.
Billy was still a huge fan of the game after retirement, as he often watched the Worthing Thunder play, and he coached in schools and various junior basketball clubs around the county of Sussex.
A Facebook group has been set-up in honour of Hungrecker, entitled: “RIP BILLY HUNGRECKER (Leave your thoughts here)”.
Worthing Thunder will hold a one minute silence in Billy’s honour before their pre-season game at the Worthing Leisure Centre against Guildford Heat on September 10th .
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For more information, please contact either the Worthing Thunder office (01903) 261261 or the Club’s press officer, John Hobbs: 07940711770.
