Georgia Southern Men's Basketball Team Practices, Then Plays
10/17/2009 4:36:00 AM | Men's Basketball
STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern Men's Basketball team, fresh from its two-hour first practice of 2009-2010, joined the Lady Eagles Basketball team for the "Basketball Fan Fest" and "Meet the Eagles" events at Hanner Fieldhouse on Friday (October 16). The two events followed the "Eagle Rally" which started the evening's activities with the Georgia Southern cheerleaders, Southern Pride Marching Band and fan-favorite mascot GUS and his "father" who joined him in the Family Weekend festivities. Head Women's Basketball Coach Rusty Cram and Men's Basketball Coach Charlton "C.Y." Young each gave a preseason pep talk and then coached their teams in mixed-team scrimmages as part of the event.
Junior Willie Powers, who started 11 games for the Eagles last year before an injury forced him to miss the rest of the 2008-2009 season, engaged in a fierce battle for the three-point shooting title with junior women's player Jamie Navarro. With a fraction of a second left on the clock, Powers released on a long three to tie the score and force a 30-second overtime. He prevailed in the overtime, winning the title for 2009. Several players participated in a dunking exhibition, with freshman Cameron Baskerville, junior Tay Rucker and seniors Antoine Johnson and Tyler Troupe.
After the on-court events, the more than 1,000 fans in attendance picked up posters and schedule cards for the 2009-2010 season and had both the men's and women's team members sign autographs.
Prior to the event, the Eagle men's basketball team held its first practice, going baseline to baseline during the two hours.
"Our first practice was a typical first practice," said Young. "Our guys have to learn to get from spot to spot a little quicker, but overall, it was a good first effort for the first practice. Conditioning was tough -- I have to get my mind used to the fact that we only have four post players right now and they get a lot of reps, so they get tired. Other than that, it was very good.
"I did see some things today that surprised me," Young said. "We are very athletic, very quick and very long. We can be better defensively -- even better than what I thought."
COXWORTH JOINS EAGLES: Freshman Alex Coxworth joined the Eagles as a walk-on this week and will wear number 11. Coxworth, from Alpharetta, Ga., earned three letters at Centennial High School and averaged 12 points per game as a junior when the Knights earned the top ranking in Georgia.
SIDELINED EAGLES: Sophomore Colby Wohlleb has been under observation for an injury to his left leg with a course of treatment yet to be determined. Senior Blake Thompson will miss at least the next three months with an injured right knee. He may be able to return in January.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE: Season tickets for the 2009-2010 campaign are currently on sale with lower-level seats at $100 each and upper-level seats priced at $50 each. The home slate includes 11 games as well as all six games in the "Legends Classic" Nov. 27-20. The Eagles play Troy, Arkansas-Fort Smith and Valparaiso with neutral site games between the other teams prior to the Georgia Southern game during that tournament. Tip off for the new era of Eagle basketball is Friday, Nov. 13th with a 7:30 p.m. matchup with Reinhardt.
Current season ticket holders may renew their seats through October 23rd by calling 1-800-GSU-WINS (478-9467) or (912) 478-9467. Single game tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for youth (ages 3-12).
