ABAC TIPS OFF BASKETBALL SEASON OCTOBER 31

The Abraham Baldwin College Golden Stallions’ basketball team tips off this year’s season at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 at home against Martinique-French Islands.

Robert Moore, in his third year as the men’s basketball coach at ABAC, said this year’s team is young but very talented.

“The team consists of four players who are returning from last year, one player who is returning after sitting out for a year due to an injury, and 13 freshmen,” Moore said. “I think the team is going to have to go through some growing pains, but in terms of talent, they are a good group of players. I think they will come together as a team at the right time.”

Sophomore players include Deon Sturdivant of Bogart, Jermaine Barnes of Morrow, Eddie Ford of Live Oak, Fla., Benny Hayes of Alexandria, La., and Rico Paschal of Columbus. Moore said these sophomores, especially Sturdivant and Barnes, will provide leadership during practice that will really help the team.

Moore said he has three goals for the team this year.

“I would like to win 20 games, win the regular season championship, and win the conference tournament,” Moore said. “Last year, we finished fourth in the league with a record of 21 – 10, which was the best record at ABAC since 1982. I want to finish first or second so that we can get the best seeding for the conference.”

Six of Moore’s sophomores from last year’s team transferred to four-year colleges: Carl Harrell to Southern Polytechnic State University; B.J. Wright to Albany State University; Eric Williams to Guilford College; Corey Johnson to Texas A & M University; Orenn Fells to Florida State University; and Micah Kirkpatrick to Covenant College.

Moore said he hopes the faculty, staff, students, and community will continue to show support for the men’s basketball program, especially since the conference tournament will be held at ABAC March 5 – 8.

“The support for basketball at ABAC has been great,” Moore said. “I think Coach [Julie] Conner’s [the women’s basketball coach at ABAC] team winning the state championship last year really helped the basketball programs at ABAC. People like to watch winning teams. Campus-sponsored events, such as Midnight Mania, also give everyone a chance to show their support. I encourage everyone to come to the games. It should be an exciting season and a lot of fun.”

Anyone wearing a Halloween costume to the Stallions’ opener will be admitted free.

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