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Faulkner reloads Saints basketball team for 2007-08
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| North Georgia’s head men’s basketball coach Chris Faulkner will be manning the sideline this coming season with eight new players on the team. (Submitted photo) |
By David Beall
Six transfers and two incoming freshman make up one of the best recruiting classes North Georgia has ever seen as the 2007-08 season is creeping closer.
Three former NCAA Division I players are heading to Dahlonega with a mission to win a championship. “This is definitely the best recruiting class we have ever had,” said head coach Chris Faulkner, “Top to bottom this is the best group we have brought in yet.”
Five guards are on the way to add depth to the tandem of Jakirra Millsap and Lee Burrell of a year ago. “You have to have good guards, and we are returning some good guards, but we also signed some as well,” Faulkner said, “I think at any level the great teams all have great guards.
At the point guard position, Marquez Jackson and LaBrian Lyons, both former Division I players, will look to play minutes as the floor generals next season. Jackson, a transfer sophomore from the University of Hawaii is “a speedy guard” and “fierce competitor” according to Faulkner.
Jackson also brings championship experience to floor from his days at East Hall High School where he helped the Viking capture two state titles.
Lyons, a 6-2 transfer from Wallace State led his team to a #4 national ranking last year while averaging 4.4 assists and 10.2 points per game while shooting 51% from behind the arc.
“LaBrian is a big guard,” Faulkner said, who can handle the point position as well as be a great leader.”
Another guard for the Saints coming into town will be Andre Morgan who played his last two seasons at Kennesaw State University. He earned Freshman of the Year honors in the Atlantic Sun Conference his first season and averaged a respectable 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game last year.
R.J. Hofler and Nick Pope will look to make a presence as they transfer from Faulkner State and Oklahoma Baptist respectively.
Hofler helped lead Faulkner State to the southern division title in the Alabama Junior College Conference last season while Pope played on three national tournament teams at Oklahoma Baptist.
“Hofler is a big kid who we think can come in and play right away,” Faulkner said, “He averaged double figures in both points and rebounds for Faulkner State and should help give us the same type presence inside.”
Faulkner described Pope as an athletic forward who showed, “Great skill and versatility to play several positions on the floor.”
The slew of guards also includes Matt Maddox who played at nearby Truett McConnell College. Maddox shot 34% from the three-point line last year while also scoring 11.1 points per game.
Two youngsters straight from high school who will join the Saints are John Overton from Buford High School and Sam Bowman from Johnson High School.
“John is a heady point guard, Faulkner said. “He is an excellent leader on the floor and makes great decisions with the ball in his hand.
This brand new group of talent will have to get right to work for Faulkner and his staff, as the Saints have a tough opening schedule before Peach Belt play begins against Armstrong Atlantic on November 28.
“It will take a little while for everyone to learn how everyone plays, but I don't think these are the kind of guys who have egos and want to come in and be a star.” Faulkner said. “I think they will fit in and mesh with what we have without any problem.”
Hopefully having the bulk of the recruiting class with experience will diminish the learning curve and allow the Saints to pick up right where they left off last year with 5 wins in their last 7 games including a 59-61 upset win over 13-ranked Clayton State.
After finally snapping a 15 game losing streak that lasted nearly two months the Saints finally got off the deck to post four conference wins. So will the new recruits make an immediate impact?
“I think they will all be able to step in and help us just because they have that in-game experience in leagues that are comparable to the Peach Belt,” Faulkner said.
After a disappointing season in 2007, coaches, players, and fans are all looking for a rebound year in 2008. They will have to do it against one of the toughest leagues in the nation as the Peach Belt sent four teams to the NCAA Division II championships last year.
Faulkner and his squad wouldn't want it any other way. As North Georgia heads into full NCAA membership, the men's basketball team looks poised to make a championship run.
Three former NCAA Division I players are heading to Dahlonega with a mission to win a championship. “This is definitely the best recruiting class we have ever had,” said head coach Chris Faulkner, “Top to bottom this is the best group we have brought in yet.”
Five guards are on the way to add depth to the tandem of Jakirra Millsap and Lee Burrell of a year ago. “You have to have good guards, and we are returning some good guards, but we also signed some as well,” Faulkner said, “I think at any level the great teams all have great guards.
At the point guard position, Marquez Jackson and LaBrian Lyons, both former Division I players, will look to play minutes as the floor generals next season. Jackson, a transfer sophomore from the University of Hawaii is “a speedy guard” and “fierce competitor” according to Faulkner.
Jackson also brings championship experience to floor from his days at East Hall High School where he helped the Viking capture two state titles.
Lyons, a 6-2 transfer from Wallace State led his team to a #4 national ranking last year while averaging 4.4 assists and 10.2 points per game while shooting 51% from behind the arc.
“LaBrian is a big guard,” Faulkner said, who can handle the point position as well as be a great leader.”
Another guard for the Saints coming into town will be Andre Morgan who played his last two seasons at Kennesaw State University. He earned Freshman of the Year honors in the Atlantic Sun Conference his first season and averaged a respectable 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game last year.
R.J. Hofler and Nick Pope will look to make a presence as they transfer from Faulkner State and Oklahoma Baptist respectively.
Hofler helped lead Faulkner State to the southern division title in the Alabama Junior College Conference last season while Pope played on three national tournament teams at Oklahoma Baptist.
“Hofler is a big kid who we think can come in and play right away,” Faulkner said, “He averaged double figures in both points and rebounds for Faulkner State and should help give us the same type presence inside.”
Faulkner described Pope as an athletic forward who showed, “Great skill and versatility to play several positions on the floor.”
The slew of guards also includes Matt Maddox who played at nearby Truett McConnell College. Maddox shot 34% from the three-point line last year while also scoring 11.1 points per game.
Two youngsters straight from high school who will join the Saints are John Overton from Buford High School and Sam Bowman from Johnson High School.
“John is a heady point guard, Faulkner said. “He is an excellent leader on the floor and makes great decisions with the ball in his hand.
This brand new group of talent will have to get right to work for Faulkner and his staff, as the Saints have a tough opening schedule before Peach Belt play begins against Armstrong Atlantic on November 28.
“It will take a little while for everyone to learn how everyone plays, but I don't think these are the kind of guys who have egos and want to come in and be a star.” Faulkner said. “I think they will fit in and mesh with what we have without any problem.”
Hopefully having the bulk of the recruiting class with experience will diminish the learning curve and allow the Saints to pick up right where they left off last year with 5 wins in their last 7 games including a 59-61 upset win over 13-ranked Clayton State.
After finally snapping a 15 game losing streak that lasted nearly two months the Saints finally got off the deck to post four conference wins. So will the new recruits make an immediate impact?
“I think they will all be able to step in and help us just because they have that in-game experience in leagues that are comparable to the Peach Belt,” Faulkner said.
After a disappointing season in 2007, coaches, players, and fans are all looking for a rebound year in 2008. They will have to do it against one of the toughest leagues in the nation as the Peach Belt sent four teams to the NCAA Division II championships last year.
Faulkner and his squad wouldn't want it any other way. As North Georgia heads into full NCAA membership, the men's basketball team looks poised to make a championship run.
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For example, if Mr. Fill-in-the-Blank says something you don't agree with, don't tell the world that Mr. Fill-in-the-Blank is a no good dirty scoundrel who cuts off people in traffic and has owed you $20 since 1997. The Nugget asks you to please just stick to the issues at hand. That way we'll keep the debate lively, without getting personal. And remember, above all else, keep it civil and directed at the topic that's being discussed. We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
