VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State men’s basketball team will begin one of the most anticipated seasons in school history next month.
With four returning starters, including an All-American, and several highly-touted recruits joining the team, expectations are high. Earlier this month, those expectations rose even higher.
The Sporting News has ranked VSU No. 4 in the country in its preseason poll. Only Bellarmine (Louisville, Ky.), BYU-Hawaii and Central Missouri are ranked higher.
“I think any time a preseason poll comes out, it’s a reflection of two things: The success of last year and how many returning players you have,” VSU head coach Mike Helfer said. “Although (the preseason ranking) is nice, it’s the poll at the end of the year you want to be at the top of.”
After earning All-American honors at the end of last season, forward Tyrone Curnell was named a first-team preseason All-American by The Sporting News.
“Tyrone has worked very hard,” Helfer said. “He’s an unbelievable talent, but he’s brought his work ethic to same level, I believe. His preseason accolade is a reflection of last year. He’s trying to go to another level.”
The Blazers finished last season with a 24-7 record, including only one loss at home. The season ended on a sour note when the team lost in the Gulf South Conference championship game, then lost the following week in a mistake-filled game against Claflin in the first round of the national tournament.
Despite suffering their only two-game losing streak at the worst possible time, the Blazers headed into the offseason knowing they had a chance to do something special in 2009-10.
Along with Curnell, the Blazers return regular starters Ricardo Lewis, Christian Hunter, Ryan Nelson and B.J. Dibble. Key reserves Tristan Crawford, Marquis Robinson and Charles Belton also return.
In the offseason, the Blazers added Billy McShepard, a 6-foot-10 small forward from Louisburg (N.C.) Community College who is known for his shot making, and 6-foot-8, 255-pound Josh Williams, a center who is expected to provide rebounding and toughness in the post, one of the few areas of weakness on last year’s team.
VSU also added Quinn Brownfield, a 6-foot-6 guard from VMI, and James Jackson, a 5-foot-10 guard from Truett-McConnell Community College.
Helfer said he definitely believes the additions of the transfers helped his team earn the No. 4 preseason ranking.
With an abundance of talent, Helfer’s biggest challenge as a coach this year might not be making his players better, but managing personalities and making sure the team develops chemistry. He doesn’t think that will be an issue.
“I think every year, coaches have issues of getting guys on the same page,” Helfer said. “I don’t see that as a problem, because we recruited good people. When you have good people, that allows you to fit into the team structure, and makes the team better.”
The Blazers will begin their season in mid-November.
Local Sports
Blazers ranked fourth in preseason poll
VSU basketball team coming off of a 24-7 season in 2008-09
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VSU teams hosting summer camps
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The two summer camps will be held on June 11-13 and July 9-11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The camps will cost $100 each. -
David Dean Youth Camp begins next week
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The fourth annual camp will be held May 29-June 1 at the Athletic Fieldhouse off Mary Street. -
National champion head coach rewarded with new truck
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All-American again
Go ahead and add another award to resume of this year’s Valdosta State softball team.
Between conference player of the week awards, a national player of the week award, All-Conference and All-Region honors and four All-American awards, the national champion Blazers had plenty of individuals honored for performances throughout the season, which ultimately led to VSU’s first ever softball national title. -
Local area events coming soon
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Monday, May 28, there will be a Memorial Day 5K, which will begin at 8 a.m. from the VECA School located on the corner of Azalea Drive and College Street. -
Tech bound
Donjahae Jones gets it done in the classroom and on the track.
One of the top students in her class, and one of the top track and field competitors in the state, Jones will be taking her talents to the Division I level after she signed a track and field scholarship with Georgia Tech on Tuesday. -
Blazers garner All-Region honors
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Lowndes' Phelps named tennis Coach of the Year
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Wildcats close spring practice
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No score was kept in the game, but the Wildcats did play best-on-best, pitting the starting offense against the starting defense. - More Local Sports Headlines
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VSU teams hosting summer camps
