Eagles Open 2009-2010 Campaign with First Practice
10/17/2009 5:38:00 PM | Women's Basketball
STATESBORO, GA – The 2009-2010 Georgia Southern women's basketball team opened a new season Friday night (October 16) in Hanner Fieldhouse. The Eagles inaugurated the new campaign with “Basketball Fan Fest” and “Meet the Eagles” before taking the court for the first time as a team Saturday morning (October 17).
Head coach Rusty Cram and Head Men's Basketball Coach Charlton Young began the new season Friday with preseason pep talks at the conclusion of the “Eagle Rally” before festivities began for “Basketball Fan Fest” and “Meet the Eagles”. Junior Jamie Navarro (Naples, Fla.) challenged junior men's player Willie Powers in a three-point shooting contest. Powers tied the championship round with a last second three-pointer to force a 30-second overtime, in which Powers took the title.
Following a dunk exhibition by men's team members, both teams took the court for a 10-minute mixed scrimmage. The night culminated with autograph sessions by both teams' members with the release of the 2009-2010 season schedule cards and posters.
After the Eagles opened the season on Friday, the team held its the first practice of the 2009-2010 season Saturday morning. Head coach Rusty Cram begins his 14th season at the helm of the program, returning 10 letterwinners from 2008-09 and adding seven newcomers to the squad.
Focusing on fundamentals, Cram was pleased with the effort he witnessed from the team for the first practice. “We worked on the basic fundamentals and getting the team in shape. We did a lot of individual stuff and probably spent half the practice working on defense; first with individual defense and then incorporating it into the team defense,” said Cram. “We spent a tremendous amount of time on shooting with shooting drills on the move and stationary. And then we started working on our transition, both offense and defense, and certainly our main offense, man-to-man offense.”
A pair of returners and a transfer-junior stood out to Cram on the opening day of practice. “I thought Jamie Navarro, Candice Ivy and Janay Wilson stood out in my mind with how hard they pushed, but everyone worked hard this morning. I can't single anyone out that didn't work hard and that's a positive for me,” stated Cram. “Several of the freshmen pushed hard today, but that's to be expected because they are new and want to come out strong.”
Overall, Cram was pleased with the effort the team portrayed on the court for the first practice and looks forward to the upcoming season. “I thought this was one of the best first practices we've had in quite awhile to be honest with you. The kids worked hard and we are very pleased with what we saw. We certainly have work to do, but we like the attitude of the team.”
The Eagles open the new season on Friday night of Homecoming Weekend, November 13th. In a double-header with the men's team, Georgia Southern plays host to Brewton-Parker for the women's matchup at 5 p.m. before the men take the court for their first game under new head coach “C.Y.” at 7:30 p.m. against Reinhardt.
Season tickets for the 2009-2010 women's basketball season are on sale at $50 for a general admission pass. A flex plan, which includes five tickets that may be used at any home game, can be purchased for $25. Single-game tickets for adults are $8, while youth single-game tickets (ages 3-12) are priced at $4.
Tickets may be purchased through the Athletics Ticket Office at (912) GSU-WINS (478-9467) or online at www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com/tickets.
Head coach Rusty Cram and Head Men's Basketball Coach Charlton Young began the new season Friday with preseason pep talks at the conclusion of the “Eagle Rally” before festivities began for “Basketball Fan Fest” and “Meet the Eagles”. Junior Jamie Navarro (Naples, Fla.) challenged junior men's player Willie Powers in a three-point shooting contest. Powers tied the championship round with a last second three-pointer to force a 30-second overtime, in which Powers took the title.
Following a dunk exhibition by men's team members, both teams took the court for a 10-minute mixed scrimmage. The night culminated with autograph sessions by both teams' members with the release of the 2009-2010 season schedule cards and posters.
After the Eagles opened the season on Friday, the team held its the first practice of the 2009-2010 season Saturday morning. Head coach Rusty Cram begins his 14th season at the helm of the program, returning 10 letterwinners from 2008-09 and adding seven newcomers to the squad.
Focusing on fundamentals, Cram was pleased with the effort he witnessed from the team for the first practice. “We worked on the basic fundamentals and getting the team in shape. We did a lot of individual stuff and probably spent half the practice working on defense; first with individual defense and then incorporating it into the team defense,” said Cram. “We spent a tremendous amount of time on shooting with shooting drills on the move and stationary. And then we started working on our transition, both offense and defense, and certainly our main offense, man-to-man offense.”
A pair of returners and a transfer-junior stood out to Cram on the opening day of practice. “I thought Jamie Navarro, Candice Ivy and Janay Wilson stood out in my mind with how hard they pushed, but everyone worked hard this morning. I can't single anyone out that didn't work hard and that's a positive for me,” stated Cram. “Several of the freshmen pushed hard today, but that's to be expected because they are new and want to come out strong.”
Overall, Cram was pleased with the effort the team portrayed on the court for the first practice and looks forward to the upcoming season. “I thought this was one of the best first practices we've had in quite awhile to be honest with you. The kids worked hard and we are very pleased with what we saw. We certainly have work to do, but we like the attitude of the team.”
The Eagles open the new season on Friday night of Homecoming Weekend, November 13th. In a double-header with the men's team, Georgia Southern plays host to Brewton-Parker for the women's matchup at 5 p.m. before the men take the court for their first game under new head coach “C.Y.” at 7:30 p.m. against Reinhardt.
Season tickets for the 2009-2010 women's basketball season are on sale at $50 for a general admission pass. A flex plan, which includes five tickets that may be used at any home game, can be purchased for $25. Single-game tickets for adults are $8, while youth single-game tickets (ages 3-12) are priced at $4.
Tickets may be purchased through the Athletics Ticket Office at (912) GSU-WINS (478-9467) or online at www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com/tickets.
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