Thomas Haugh Shines as Florida Gators Advance in NCAA Tournament

ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. — As the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament heats up, former New Oxford standout Thomas Haugh is making headlines as a sophomore forward for the number one-seeded Florida Gators. Haugh’s journey from a small-town athlete to a national contender has captured the attention of his hometown fans.

“[It’s] wild and kind of crazy,” Haugh said. “I’m playing [on] the SEC championship-winning team right now. It’s definitely a surreal feeling.” With aspirations of securing a college basketball championship, Haugh’s excitement resonates deeply within the Adams County community, where support for the Gators is palpable.

Five years ago, Haugh was vying for a state championship as a sophomore with the New Oxford Colonials. In the 2019-20 season, he was part of a dynamic team, which included future collegiate athletes like Abdul Janneh and Brayden Long. Tragically, their championship dream was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. “I’ll never forget that year [with the Colonials]. One of my favorite years of basketball for sure,” reflected Haugh. “It was wild that we were able to put that squad together, and it sucks we didn’t get to finish. I think we would have won the state championship that year.”

After transferring to Perkiomen School to enhance his skills, Haugh ultimately found his way to the University of Florida, a long-standing dream. “When I was at New Oxford, they had some crazy athletes for a small public school in the middle of Adams County [and] that helped me to be able to compete at a high level and lay the foundation,” Haugh noted. “I’m not going to forget my roots.”

New Oxford Basketball Head Coach Nathan Myers praised Haugh for his early potential and character, stating, “Thomas was a very valuable piece to us, but I would also tell you, in my time around Thomas, he was just scratching the surface of his ability as a talent. As great as a basketball player as he is, he’s an outstanding young man and outstanding person far beyond anything he does on the basketball court. This community is extremely proud of the person he is.”

This local pride has fueled support for Haugh as Florida pushes through the tournament. “Florida doesn’t feel too far away from New Oxford right now,” Myers added. “You watch Florida play and you see Thomas Haugh from New Oxford, Pa., that comes up on the screen. There are a lot of proud Colonials.”

Haugh expressed gratitude for his community’s encouragement, saying, “I just want to thank everybody for the support that they give me this whole season. Let’s go get this thing done.”

In a thrilling second-round matchup this past Sunday, Florida defeated UConn 77-75, thanks in part to Haugh’s contributions on the court. Walter Clayton Jr. led the Gators with 23 points, including critical plays in the final moments. Coach Todd Golden heralded the win as a significant milestone, stating, “This is a great win for our program. The time was now for us to take that next step.”

The Gators will face either Colorado State or Maryland in the Sweet 16, marking their first trip to this stage since 2017. With mounting momentum, Haugh hopes to lead his team deeper into the tournament as he remains connected to his roots in Adams County.