meet dudes a poppin'

By Bryce Smith
Virtual League
Feb 10, 2026
By Bryce Smith
Virtual League
Feb 10, 2026

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team profile: dudes a poppin'

Team Members: ELCONQUIS, PONCHOVILLAS, RMGMONEY, NUGSANDNETS

 

Location: Schererville, IN

 

Year Founded: 2026
 

Team Song: Basketball Jones by Cheech and Chong

We spent some time with Paul Hillebold — aka El Conquis — captain of Dudes a Poppin’, to talk roster origins, garage-court beginnings, and how good vibes and good company fuel their Pop-A-Shot Virtual League  run. Built around family, friends, and league-night traditions, this crew brings personality, positivity, and plenty of noise every time they step up to the machine. 

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

q&a with the captain of dudes a poppin'

Pop-A-Shot: Thanks for the catching up with us Paul, who's on the roster? How do you know each other? 
 

Paul: Paul and Erin Hillebold (married), plus friends Russ Gower and Nicole Arflin. Russ and Nicole regularly come over to play on the home Pop-A-Shot in the garage.

 

Pop-A-Shot: Was there a competitive tryout?
 

Paul: Nicole and her husband Josh had a playoff at the house to fill the final roster spot. While Josh has been a little salty about not making the starting roster, he has been playing with us on league nights to hopefully be used as an alternate if necessary. He's really putting in that work to try and defeat his wife. 
 

Pop-A-Shot: Love the determination. What role does each player assume on the team? 
 

Paul: Erin, PonchoVilla, is for sure the hype man. Cheering the mostest and loudest. El conquis, Paul, is Pauly Positivity. No further comment needed there. Rmg Russ… the quiet,  tall, unassuming competitor you didn't see coming. NetsnNugs, Nicole, brings the smart ass comments and the snacks. Always snacks. 

Dudes A Poppin'

ELCONQUIS, PONCHOVILLAS, RMGMONEY, NUGSANDNETS

Pop-A-Shot: Where is the team’s home court?

 

Paul: Started like any other fairytale, in the garage but after discovering a home court advantage, we found our place… up north to . High vibes, cold drinks, and our Pop-A-Shot scores are heating up. Coincidence? We think not. 
 

Pop-A-Shot: Looks like a sweet place to play! How did the team name Dudes a Poppin’ come about?

 

Paul: If you want the real answer… We live near a nudist colony (Ponderosa Sun Club for those interested) that hosted an annual event called nudes a poppin for 45 years where a man named Ron Jeremy emceed for over 30 years. So. Clearly Pop A Shot Basketball goes hand in hand with a local nudist colony. Who knew? Our logo is a tribute to theirs, hence the sun flames around the basketball. Also replaced the 2 nudes with a basketball player. Seemed more appropriate 

 

Pop-A-Shot: Believe it or not we're familiar with Ponderosa Sun Club. Mr. Pop is on the board. Any pre-game rituals for the team? 

 

Paul: Not sure what everyone else calls them, but pre game "safety meetings" are a crucial part of our success

Pop-A-Shot: You can't be too safe these days, especially when playing Pop-A-Shot.

Nugsandnets has shown steady, solid improvement week over week. What's her secret and how high is her ceiling?
 

Paul: Per Nugsandnets:  "Turns out passing the ball helps, and Hitting the right elevation is also key. A team that always has your back really raises that proverbial ceiling.  

 

Pop-A-Shot: YAny opposing teams you have your eye on this season?
 

Paul: Any team that scores near 1000 or under each week is who we have our eyes on. That's really our rivalry wheelhouse at this point.

shooting balls and having fun

From garage games to their new up-north home court at L², Dudes a Poppin’ continues to build momentum through teamwork, hype, and steady improvement. With loud support, snack-fueled sessions, and a strong sense of fun, they embody what league nights are all about. Keep tabs on their progress — and the rest of the competition — through the Pop-A-Shot Virtual League.

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