Billy Hungrecker Passes Away
Worthing Thunder legend Billy Hungrecker passed away unexpectedly this week at the age of 50 after a heart attack in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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.
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 .
A Facebook group has been set-up in honour of Hungrecker, where tributes have been flooding in.
R.I.P
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