meet the motor city sharpshooters

By Bryce Smith
Events, Virtual League
Jan 19, 2026

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By Bryce Smith
Events, Virtual League
Jan 19, 2026

Share This Blog

team profile: motor city sharpshooters

Team Members: ISHAM, SCOTTSETZKE, OZZY85, AJBUTLER002

 

Location: Detroit, MI
 

Year Founded: 2025
 

Team Song: Eminem-Till I collapse (Eminem grew up pretty close to where we live)

Scott's Song: Anything from "Tay Tay"

The Motor City Sharpshooters have been part of the Pop-A-Shot Virtual League since the very beginning. In the league’s inaugural season, they made a deep run and finished second overall after a narrow loss, establishing themselves early as one of the most competitive squads in the field.

We recently spent some time with James Isham, captain of the Sharpshooters and the Indianapolis Qualifying Champion for the 2026 Pop-A-Shot National Championship, to talk about how the team came together, where they play their home games, and what goes into preparing for another title run.

What follows is a mostly accurate transcript, edited for clarity, brevity, and journalistic integrity.

Team Lineup at 3 Nick's Taproom

Motor City Sharpshooters

q&a with the captain of the motor city sharpshooters

Pop-A-Shot: Thanks so much for making the time James. Let's start with a little background. Who's on your four person squad?
 

Isham: James Isham. Anthony Butler. Anthony Osborne. Scott Setzke. I went to Elementary school with Butler, met Osborne at one of my first jobs, and met Scott at last year's Chicago qualifier.
 

Pop-A-Shot: Sounds like a good mix. Where do you play your home games?
 

Isham: We play at 3 Nick’s Taproom in Southgate, Michigan. It's the melting pot of downriver. One day you're talking to some guy from the UK the next day the waitress is pouring beer into your mouth.
 

Pop-A-Shot: Reminds me of poker night at Mr. Pop's.  After last season's 2nd place finish, I heard rumors about an extensive off season training program. Can you share more?
 

Isham: The rumors are all true. Scott made us run countless laps around the machine while he played tapes of Bob Knight yelling at us. There was a lot of sweat. Someone cried. Aj had a few beers. Our shooting percentage is now at 94%.

James Isham / Captain

Motor City Sharpshooters

Pop-A-Shot: Speaking of Scott, I saw the segment on Thursday Night Football where he played Ryan Fitzpatrick (who has his own Pop-A-Shot Elite btw). Has fame changed Scott?
 

Isham: He's so famous around here that  we need to get his picture on the wall at the bar. We think of him as the mona lisa of Pop-A-Shot.
 

Pop-A-Shot: I can see it. Their cheek structure is the same. Final question - Does the team have any traditions, rituals or superstitions?
 

Isham: We have a few.
- When Scott senses the team is nervous he has us watch Enter the Dragon. Something about staying calm and finding our inner peace? He also regularly mumbles under his breath "be water my friend." 
- If we need more inspiration then Scott has us watch Hoosiers. 
- Aj's tradition is to have a few "pregame warmup beers" which may or may not be correlated with Scott's tradition of getting the balls wet.
 

Pop-A-Shot:  James, thank you so much for your time. Good luck to the Sharpshooters, can't wait to see if all that training paid off!

eyes on the prize

Between championship pedigree, lifelong friendships, intense “training,” and a bar that feels like home, the Motor City Sharpshooters are clearly more than just a team. They’re a shared experience—equal parts competition, camaraderie, and controlled chaos.

As James wrapped up our conversation, one thing was clear: the Sharpshooters are locked in, loose, and ready to see if all that offseason madness pays off.

We can’t wait to find out either.
 

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