ASU Seeking Third Straight Peach Belt North Division Title

 

Augusta, GA - Augusta State's men's basketball team is seeking its third consecutive Peach Belt Conference North Division Championship heading into the 2000-2001 season.  Last year the Jaguars posted an overall record of 17-11 and an impressive 12-4 mark in the conference standings.

Head Coach Gary Tuell returns for his fourth season at Augusta State with a record of 41-43 at the school.  Tuell will have to replace four key players from a year ago, including All-PBC Demetric Hymes-Taylor, Mike Mills, Oliver Ottley, Jr. and Brian Calvin.

Augusta State will feature its own version of the twin towers this year with 6-11 Festus Hawkins and 6-10 Russell Hinder.  Hawkins earned All-Conference honors last year after averaging 14.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per contest.  Hawkins transferred to ASU a year ago from Division I University of Illinois.  Hinder is also a Division I transfer after lettering the last two years at the University of San Francisco.

Tuell is also looking forward to the arrival of 6-7 junior forward Marcus Gradney, via McLennan Community College in Los Angeles.  Gradney originally attended Division I Long Beach State after a stellar career at Ballard High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Joining Hawkins from last year's squad will be sharpshooter Gary Boodnikoff, T.J. Ott, Jayme Johnson, Chris Harriman and Reggie Rosier.

Augusta State opens the season on November 17th at West Georgia.  Game time is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m.