Wednesday is the official start of the 2021-2022 boys’ basketball season and that brings the return of the annual midnight madness season tipoff Wednesday evening.

The annual Midnight Madness event, which actually starts at 7:00 p.m. in the Nest is a good way to start the season according to junior forward Jonathan Dupree-Bufford.

“It’s a good thing because it gives us a good start to the season, gets us ready and lets us see what we can really do so we can be ready for the season,” Dupree-Bufford said.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event was not able to happen last year, making this year’s more special for the Redhawks only senior, Drew Johnson.

“We have midnight madness, of course we didn’t get to do it last year, which was my first year on varsity so I missed out on that, but I’m excited to do it this year,” Johnson said. “It’s a great kickoff to the season.”

For head coach, Stephen Friar, the event is a great way to get the winter, and basketball season going.

“So our midnight madness is basically like a pep rally and an introduction to basketball,” Friar said. “It’s boys and girls. The girls have made it to state the past 3 years, the boys have in the past years been a powerhouse within the district. It’s one of those things where we bring the school out, bring the community together and introduce them to the basketball teams of the year. Last year we weren’t able to do this because of it being a Covid year so now we are able to open the doors back up, let the fans back in, and introduce them to the basketball season.”

The event will contain a DJ, performances from cheer and the drill team, as well as pictures. Wednesday’s festivities tip off at 7:00 p.m. in the Nest.