VALDOSTA — One year ago the Valdosta State men’s basketball team was in turmoil.
Coach Mike Helfer kicked three key players off the team right before the start of Gulf South Conference play. Despite finishing the conference schedule with a 8-4 record, the Blazers struggled early, falling to 1-2 in GSC out of the gate.
This year the Blazers are on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from where they were at this point last year. VSU is ranked No. 18 in the country, boasts a 12-2 record and is far ahead of most teams with new players when it comes to on-the-court chemistry.
“It’s a completely different feel, obviously a much better feel,” Helfer said. “This team is fun to coach and be around. A lot of that has to do with winning, but there are also things that are above and beyond winning that make me enjoy this team.”
The team is ready to begin the challenge of conference play. On Saturday the Blazers will play at Alabama-Huntsville (7-5) in the first GSC game for each team. The two teams split last year’s series, with each team claiming victory on its home court.
Last year in Huntsville, Ala., the Chargers won 67-55, a low point in the season for VSU. The Blazers shot just 2-of-7 from the free throw line and fell to 1-2 in the GSC.
The Chargers return two four-year starters in Kael Coleman and Casey Stafford. Coleman scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in last year’s game in Huntsville, and Stafford scored 15 points.
“Really when you play Huntsville you’re not playing individuals, you’re playing the system — the Princeton offense,” Helfer said. “They will be ready for us come Saturday, I guarantee it. It’s a hard, hard place to go in and win.”
The Blazers are getting a boost just in time for the game. Senior Tristan Crawford, who’s been out five weeks with a left shoulder injury, will be back for the game. It will be the first time he’s suited up since Dec. 1. Helfer says he is operating at 95 percent.
“He’s back,” Helfer said. “Our biggest task might be how we blend him back into the line up. The off-the-court chemistry is there because he’s been around during the five weeks he’s been out, but the on-the-court chemistry, there’s nothing we can do about it. We just have to play him back into great chemistry.”
The Lady Blazers (10-4) also begin GSC play on Saturday at Alabama-Huntsville.
“I told our team after we beat Flagler the other night that we are 0-0,” Coach Kiley Hill said. “We played all those non-conference games to prepare us for conference play, and I hope we’re ready to take on that challenge.”
While the men’s team only played three games over the holiday break, the Lady Blazers were busy playing six games. They won games against Warner, Albany State and Flagler, but lost to Columbus State, Armstrong Atlantic and Georgia College.
“We have a bit of an edge to us,” Hill said. “We’ve gotten better as a basketball team over the holiday break. All we’ve had a chance to do is play and eat which is good. Our chemistry has really improved because our kids have been together over that time.”
Last year’s veteran Lady Blazer squad that made it to the Sweet 16 finished 9-3 in the GSC, but even that squad had trouble in Huntsville, losing 55-45.
“Any time you go up there it’s a tough place to play,” Hill said. “Everyone wants to beat Valdosta State. They usually have some type of theme night. They fit in about 5,000 people, and they sit right on top of you. It’s a great environment, but it’s a challenge.”
This year provides a chance to get a measure of revenge. The Lady Chargers have struggled to a 3-11 start, but Hill isn’t taking the game lightly.
“They are a talented offensive team,” Hill said. “They’ve had some injuries which has hurt them and they’ve played a tough schedule. They can shoot it. The question mark is will we be able to score because they struggle on defense sometimes.”
Opening tip for the Lady Blazers and Lady Chargers is 6 p.m. The men follow at 8 p.m.
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Valdosta State University head basketball coach Mike Helfer gives directions to members of the team Thursday at The Complex during practice.
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VSU basketball teams ready for GSC play
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