Jaguar men's basketball off to a fast-break start
Kenny Walter
Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: Sports
Coming off the best season in school history, the men's basketball team has high hopes of maintaining a winning tradition on campus.
The squad got the ball rolling towards another outstanding season when they opened their exhibition slate on Nov. 6, at Presbyterian College in Clinton S.C., a Division I program. The Jaguars ended last season in the Division II Championship game, but Division I programs get most of the attention nationwide.
The fact that the game was an exhibition means that it will not show up on either team's win-loss record, but the Jaguars still knew that they could make a statement against a top-notch team.
Augusta State University started fast, pulling out to a 6-2 lead, and the Jaguars never looked back. By half-time, the Jaguars were leading 35-27 and managed to protect their lead the rest of the way.
Senior center and Player of the Year candidate, Garret Siler, a health and physical education major, poured in 12 points and added four blocks in just 13 minutes of action. Ben Madgen, a junior management major, led all scorers with 18 points, as the Jaguars shot 65 percent and rolled over the Blue Horse, 70-60.
The win was quite an accomplishment as the team looks to form a new identity and incorporate their newcomers, while overcoming key graduated starters. Beating a Division I team will set the bar high and demonstrates the team is gelling nicely.
Fred Brathwaite, a junior heath and physical education major and highly recruited transfer, made an immediate impact, shooting 100 percent from the field while notching 12 points. The Jaguars also had more rebounds, steals and blocks than Presbyterian.
After the first of two exhibition match-ups, the Jaguars prepared to finish their short pre-season schedule at home against Aiken Tech on Nov.12. This time, the Jaguars were the favorite and were the team residing in a higher division.
All the proceeds from the game were collected by Augusta States Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The Knights were overmatched by the Jaguars from the opening tip, as the Jaguars rolled, scoring a total of 93 points in the game. Siler notched a double-double, with 22 points and 12 boards, leading all scorers and pacing the way for four double-digit Jaguar scorers.
Brathwaite added 10 points in his home debut and sophomore guard Caleb Brown, a pre-management major, came off the bench and totaled 13 points and six rebounds.
The pre-season was a success for the Jaguars, and it appears they are primed for another big season as they look forward to games that count.
The Jaguars will officially open their season on Saturday, Nov. 22, at home against Benedict College, the reigning SIAC Basketball Champions. The Tigers will open their season on Monday, Nov. 17, at home in Columbia, S.C., before making the trip down to Augusta to face the Jaguars. Tip-off will be at 7:30.
The squad got the ball rolling towards another outstanding season when they opened their exhibition slate on Nov. 6, at Presbyterian College in Clinton S.C., a Division I program. The Jaguars ended last season in the Division II Championship game, but Division I programs get most of the attention nationwide.
The fact that the game was an exhibition means that it will not show up on either team's win-loss record, but the Jaguars still knew that they could make a statement against a top-notch team.
Augusta State University started fast, pulling out to a 6-2 lead, and the Jaguars never looked back. By half-time, the Jaguars were leading 35-27 and managed to protect their lead the rest of the way.
Senior center and Player of the Year candidate, Garret Siler, a health and physical education major, poured in 12 points and added four blocks in just 13 minutes of action. Ben Madgen, a junior management major, led all scorers with 18 points, as the Jaguars shot 65 percent and rolled over the Blue Horse, 70-60.
The win was quite an accomplishment as the team looks to form a new identity and incorporate their newcomers, while overcoming key graduated starters. Beating a Division I team will set the bar high and demonstrates the team is gelling nicely.
Fred Brathwaite, a junior heath and physical education major and highly recruited transfer, made an immediate impact, shooting 100 percent from the field while notching 12 points. The Jaguars also had more rebounds, steals and blocks than Presbyterian.
After the first of two exhibition match-ups, the Jaguars prepared to finish their short pre-season schedule at home against Aiken Tech on Nov.12. This time, the Jaguars were the favorite and were the team residing in a higher division.
All the proceeds from the game were collected by Augusta States Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The Knights were overmatched by the Jaguars from the opening tip, as the Jaguars rolled, scoring a total of 93 points in the game. Siler notched a double-double, with 22 points and 12 boards, leading all scorers and pacing the way for four double-digit Jaguar scorers.
Brathwaite added 10 points in his home debut and sophomore guard Caleb Brown, a pre-management major, came off the bench and totaled 13 points and six rebounds.
The pre-season was a success for the Jaguars, and it appears they are primed for another big season as they look forward to games that count.
The Jaguars will officially open their season on Saturday, Nov. 22, at home against Benedict College, the reigning SIAC Basketball Champions. The Tigers will open their season on Monday, Nov. 17, at home in Columbia, S.C., before making the trip down to Augusta to face the Jaguars. Tip-off will be at 7:30.
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