There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the men’s and women’s basketball teams heading into the season, as both squads began preseason practice last weekend. Head coach Rod Barnes welcomes back Leonard Mendez (16 points per game, Third Team All-CAA) and Rashad Chase as well as the five players who transferred in a year ago from high major programs.
“There’s no question we are a different program today than we were at this time a year ago,” Barnes said.
Joe Dukes, who transferred in from Wake Forest, should solidify the point guard spot while the front line gets a boost with Bernard Rimmer from Mississippi State and Xavier Hansboro and Trey Hampton from Ole Miss. Dante Curry, who transferred in from South Florida, will be eligible second semester. He will see time at the shooting guard spot with Mendez and returner Trey Goldston. Freshman James Fields will back up Dukes at the point.
“We’re talented,” Barnes said. “We’re long, and we’re athletic. We’ve still got a lot of work ahead of us, but I like the potential of this team.”
The Panthers will host a pair of exhibition games, the first against Oglethorpe on Oct. 30 followed by Clark-Atlanta on Nov. 6. Georgia State opens the regular season Nov. 13-15 at the NABC Classic in Minneapolis, Minn., a three-game tournament in which the Panthers will face Bowling Green, Concordia-St. Paul and host Minnesota. Listen to our CAA Media Day basketball show Wednesday (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.) from the ESPN Zone in Washington, D.C. on WRAS-FM (88.5).
WOMEN’S HOOPS
There is a lot of optimism around the women’s basketball program as well. With head coach Lea Henry entering her 15th season, her squad features nine returning letter-winners and a five-member recruiting class that was ranked No. 52 in the nation. The Panthers will be led by All-CAA senior guard Brittany Hollins and the seven leading scorers returning from last year’s team and will be joined by the No. 2 junior college scorer and first-team All-America pick, forward Dana Olsen, along with the State of Georgia player of the year, guard Jylisa Williams.
“We are excited and extremely optimistic,” Henry said at last Wednesday’s media day gathering. With the talent and depth that we have on the roster, we should be able to play a more up-tempo style and challenge hard for all 40 minutes.”
The Panthers play an exhibition game against Georgia Southwestern Nov. 13.
AROUND CAMPUS
Despite two goals and an assist by Kay Harbrueger, and a goal and two assists from Caroline Harvischak, the women’s soccer team lost 4-3 to Hofstra last Sunday. The Panthers fell to 10-7-0 (3-5-0) on the year. Additionally, after managing only nine shots on goal, the men’s soccer team lost 2-0 at James Madison last Saturday. … The volleyball team dropped a four-set match to Hofstra last Sunday. State was led by sophomore Ashley Jones, who recorded her third triple-double of the season. … The baseball team played its annual fall exhibition game last Saturday and did not disappoint the fans. The Panthers beat the Ontario Blue Jays 29-2.
Dave Cohen is in his 25th season as the “Voice of Georgia State Basketball and Baseball” on WRAS-FM (88.5) and works on the football radio crew at Furman University in Greenville, S.C.
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