VALDOSTA —
VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State Blazers have been chosen the Gulf South Conference’s men’s basketball Team of the Decade, the conference announced on Thursday.
The Blazers edged in-state rival West Georgia for the honor.
“It’s a great honor,” Valdosta State head coach Mike Helfer said. “It’s great for our program.”
From the 2000-01 season to the 2009-10 season, the Blazers went 204-85, a .706 winning percentage. They won the Gulf South Conference’s East Division four times, and closed out the decade with back-to-back East titles. They had five 20-win seasons, and have had a winning record in each of the past nine seasons.
Last season was arguably the best season in Valdosta State men’s basketball history. The Blazers went 28-5, set a school record for victories, won the East Division title for the second year in a row and made it all the way to the Division II national quarterfinals.
Helfer gave credit for the Team of the Decade honor to the players that have worn the Blazers’ uniform since 2000.
“It’s a credit to everybody who has played for Valdosta State in the last 10 years,” Helfer said. “To get an award like that, you have to have some great players.”
Helfer said that while Valdosta State has had its share of stars, one of the strengths of the program during his tenure has been its deep, balanced roster. He praised the players for their willingness to buy into VSU’s team concept, and do the things that helped the team become successful.
Helfer has coached the Blazers for the past five seasons, going 107-43 (a .713 winning percentage). Jim Yarbrough coached VSU from 2000-05, and went 97-42 (.698).
“Jim had a great tenure here, and I think we’ve been able to continue that,” Helfer said.
Valdosta State edged West Georgia in the Team of the Decade voting, earning 115 out of a possible 161 points. The Blazers finished with 71.4 percent of the possible points in earning the award, while the Wolves tallied 71.1 percent. Harding was third with 108.5 points (67.4 percent), followed by Delta State with 107.5 points (66.8 percent) and Alabama-Huntsville with 106 points (65.8 percent).
The Blazers also placed two players on the Gulf South Conference men’s basketball East Division All-Decade Team.
Former Valdosta State forward Tyrone Curnell, who finished his stellar two-year VSU career this past season, earned first-team All-Decade honors, while center Jon Rogers, who starred for the Blazers from 2002-06, was recognized on the second team.
Curnell earned All-America honors both seasons he was with the Blazers, and was chosen the Player of the Year for both the conference and the South Region last season. Curnell averaged 15.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game over the course of his two years. He scored 1,003 points and grabbed 538 rebounds in 61 games. He shot 50.6 percent from the field and 71.2 percent from the free throw line, while dishing out 136 assists, blocking 58 shots and making 115 steals.
Rogers was one of the most dominant big men in the GSC throughout his four-year career. He averaged 10.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game during his time with the Blazers. He scored 1,148 points and grabbed 804 rebounds, while playing in 109 out of a possible 110 games in his career. Rogers blocked 195 career shots and had 69 steals, while also dishing out 43 assists. He also shot 55.5 percent from the floor over the course of his career.
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Submitted Photo Valdosta State’s men’s basketball team poses together after winning the Division II South Regional in March. Valdosta State was chosen the Gulf South Conference men’s basketball Team of the Decade.
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