WORCESTER, Mass. - Guard Jake Blackburn has literally grown up around Worcester Academy and Worcester Academy sports. His grandfather was a former athletic director and coach for the Hilltoppers and his dad went there and played baseball and basketball.  

So Blackburn has a great appreciation for the tradition at Worcester Academy and his family's legacy.  

"Worcester Academy basketball, obviously, means a lot to me," he said. "My whole family has come through here. My grandfather was an A.D. here [and a] basketball coach here. We play in a tournament every year called the Blackburn Tournament. My dad played here. So it means a lot to me playing here. And, obviously, with the history we've won all these championships. So [it] definitely means a lot playing here."

There are a ton of local kids on the Worcester Academy roster and they all love playing close to home.  

"Yeah, I think it's really cool being a local guy from Shrewsbury," said guard Mike Ellerbrook. "I've watched a ton of games here as a kid. It's cool to be on this court and being the one playing on it finally. It's something real special."