AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The 2002-03 campaign will represent a new challenge for Augusta State Head Coach Gary Tuell and his Jaguar coaching staff. For starters, the Jags don’t have any. ASU must replace all five regulars from last season’s 22-8 squad that won the Peach Belt North Division title and PBC Tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional.
Though the Jags have to replace all five starters, including leading scorer Gary Boodnikoff, they do return the services of five lettermen who all played a role in ASU’s march to its fourth straight PBC North Division title last season. Seven newcomers will all be working to break into the lineup as well.
“We’re looking forward to a new challenge,” said Tuell, entering his sixth season. “We’ve got some guys who’ve been in the program for a while and know what it takes. We also have some new guys who we’re really excited about. Once we get them on the floor, we’ll have a lot better feel for this team. But, on the other hand, having so many new players can also work in your favor. These guys are hungry to show what they can do -- they all have something to prove.”
ASU's season begins on the road, as ASU travels to Jefferson City, Tenn., to take on Carson-Newman on Nov. 22.