GET THE GAME INTO
VETERANS BLEND WITH NEWCOMERS TO BRING HIGH HOPES
This season’s Columbus State men’s basketball squad is young by Cougar standards but welcomes back four letter winners and two starters from last year’s team. Three of the four returnees saw significant action in 2008-2009 including senior forwards Chris Telesford and Nick Gagnon. Two other veterans, senior guards Brandon Bland and Stefan Lawrence, are expected to bring the added experience Head Coach Doug Branson is seeking from his veterans. “There isn’t a large group of returning players this year but those returning are talented and experienced,” says Branson. “Those guys have been through the rigors of the Peach Belt Conference so they know what’s ahead. I’m looking to them to provide much of the guidance and leadership our new players need.” The Cougars will also inject a talented mixture of highly regarded junior college transfers, a program record five freshmen, and a Columbus native who has returned home to further advance the fortunes of CSU’s ‘09-‘10 season. Cougar fans will likely become familiar with a quartet of junior college transfers: Lamar Williams, Donta Ridley, Jeffeth Maxim and Jeremy Grimball. Of the five freshmen joining the program, three were respective stars in their Georgia high school leagues while another was one of the most prolific scoring guards in the state of Texas last season.
Senior Chris Telesford will lead CSU’s forwards.
Another new element to Columbus State basketball will be the size of its “front line.” It includes four players that are 6’-7” or taller including 7’-0” Grimball and 6’-10” Tyrone “Ty” Taylor. The balance of size, talent, and exceptional athleticism bodes well for the Cougars as they look to gel as a team and claw their way back to the top of the Peach Belt Conference. “I like our team chemistry,” says Branson. “They work hard and are buying into what we want to do this year. You can tell it’s a closer unit than previous clubs. We also have more athleticism and size than last year. That gives us a chance to be a better defensive team.”
IT’S ALL ABOUT EXPERIENCED GUARDS
Basketball experts have frequently recognized that legitimate championship ambitions boil down to having a solid backcourt. If there is any truth to that observation, then CSU should be in good hands. Junior point guard Bryant “BT” Thomas ranked third in the nation among junior college players in assists (7.9) and steals (4.0) during his sophomore year in ‘07-‘08. He also added 10 PPG including 36% from the three-point line. The three-time All-City selection is well known in Columbus basketball circles and will be joined by guards Williams, Ridley and Bland.
Senior Nick Gagnon averaged 8.9 PPG in 2008-09.
Williams was an all-conference selection who led his California juco to a 27-7 record and a place in the regional finals. Ridley held a 20 PPG average and led his conference in steals, and was an Honorable Mention Junior College All-American and twotime all-region selection at his juco. Bland came off the bench last year but frequently provided starter productivity. Stefan Lawrence, a former Columbus Northside HS star, played in only 12 games last year but is likely to see more action in ‘09-‘10.
FORWARDS THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
This year’s crop of forwards is possibly the most athletic the Cougars have seen in years. Their leader is senior Chris Telesford, a former LA City College player who has blossomed into a potent multi-talent, blending a lethal arsenal of three-point and mid-range jumpers with a heady low post scoring ensemble. His versatility makes him integral to Cougar success, but he isn’t the only forward-wing combo who should make a difference. Gagnon started all 27 games for CSU last year. The 6’-5” small power forward from Lanett, Ala., developed his perimeter skills during the off-season. He is athletic, strong, fast and a potent rebounder for his size. Additional wing-to-low post power is expected to come from Maxim, who brings a powerful low-post presence but can also score from the perimeter and is arguably one of the best passers on the team. His size permits him to effectively defend and rebound against bigger players. (Prospectus continued on next page.)
SIZE HAS ITS BENEFITS
A major weakness in CSU’s ‘08-‘09 season was a lack of size around the basket. Branson hopes that part of the remedy will be the addition of CSU’s first legitimate seven-footer, Jeremy Grimball, of Jacksonville, Fla. Grimball is a transfer from Daytona State CC in Daytona Beach, Fla., where he averaged 5.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and an NJCAA-leading 4.8 blocked shots per game last year as a sophomore. Another new Cougar, sophomore center Tyrone Taylor, of Manchester, England, has a chance to contribute as well. Taylor, who stands 6’-10”, is a low post threat that will be looked upon to upgrade the Cougars interior defense and rebounding.
THE FRESHMEN
Five freshmen, including three Georgia natives, have entered the Cougar den and bring with them the prospect of continued Cougar success for many more years. Heading the list is sharp-shooting guard Zamudio, who was Branson’s first signee last fall. Soon after signing, Zamudio tormented his opponents in the highly competitive Dallas-Ft. Worth region while claiming district Player of the Year honors. Two-time All-Region selection Anthony Smith, of Shiloh, is an athletic, physical combo-guard who also played defensive back on his high school football team. Wingman Darius Smith, besides being a double-digit scorer last year, carries a 41inch vertical leap with him. Highly sought after Caz Cole, of Dalton, was a two-time 7-AAAA First Team All-Region and First Team All-Northwest Georgia honoree. Kenroy Jones, of the Netherlands, is a 6’-4” wing-guard combo – a natural athlete with a soft shooting touch, an ability to get to the rim, and the athleticism for a fast paced game. He will play the crucial role of all-around “utility” player. Among his most recent European honors is starting for the Gold Medal winning 2009 Swiss All-Star Team in Zolfingen, Switzerland at the Wilson Swiss All-Star Basketball Camp. He was also named Best Defensive Player among the over 600 players who competed and was the winner of one of two highly contested “Slam Dunk” competitions.
Doug Branson enters his third season as full-time head coach of the Columbus State University men’s basketball program in 2009. Branson spent one season as interim head coach after replacing long-time head coach Herbert Greene. He has been with the CSU program for ten years, six of those as a fulltime assistant under Greene. He began his career at CSU as a graduate assistant in the 1999-2000 season and was promoted to full-time status the following year. Branson attended Troy State University where he earned a
bachelor’s degree in math in 1997. He served as a volunteer assistant coach under his father at Zion Chapel High School in Alabama for two years and was an assistant for one season at George C. Wallace Community College in Dothan, Alabama. He had previously played at the school from 1991 to 1993 as a guard. His college playing career was cut short by a series of injuries, leading to a career in coaching. Branson is a 1991 graduate of Goshen (Ala.) High School where he was a standout player. He helped lead his team to the Elite Eight in Alabama as a senior, losing to eventual state champion Clay County. Prior to his senior year, Branson lived in Virginia where he was among the state’s elite players. He was selected as a Super Sophomore in the state, and as a junior he was named to the All-Southwest Virginia team. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and spending time with his wife Toni, daughters Virginia and Katherine, and son Dougie, A.K.A. “Bubba.” Toni, formerly an administrative assistant in the CSU Athletic Department, is employed by the Muscogee County School District as an elementary physical education teacher.
Jim Hyneman will enter his second season as the lead assistant with the men’s basketball program at Columbus State in 2009. He has over 27 years of collegiate coaching experience, including his three seasons prior to CSU at Los Angeles City College in California. He served a majority of last season as acting head men’s basketball coach at LACC where he posted a record of 13-5 and a trip to the California Community College basketball tournament. Prior to joining LA City, Hyneman served four years as head men’s
basketball coach at Citrus College in Glendora, CA, and 19 years with former Division II member University of Calilfornia at Riverside. His collegiate coaching career began at Montana State University at Billings, where he was the top assistant and then interim head coach for one season, leading the team to the Division II West Regional. He also compiled a 61-12 record in three seasons at Corvallis High School in Oregon. Hyneman is a graduate of Oregon State University with three BS degrees, in broadcast journalism, speech education and agricultural management. He holds a master’s degree in physical education from Azusa Pacific University, as well as a JD from the California Souther College of Law. He enjoys scuba diving, watching Indy Car and NHRA drag racing, and golfing in his spare time. Jim and his wife Judy have been married for 14 years.
Graduate Assistant Coach Griffin is the newest addition to the coaching staff. He comes to CSU from Emory and Henry College in Emory, VA, where he was an assistant basketball coach for the past two years. A native of Virginia, Griffin played basketball and baseball in both high school and college, at Northwood HS in Saltville and at Concord University in West Virgina. After college, Griffin got his coaching start at the HS level for 3 years. Loves being with friends, going to movies and watching ESPN.
Volunteer Assistant Coach Hubbard is in his 2nd season as a volunteer with CSU men’s basketball. He spent over 23 years of service in the Army and was the head football coach at Giessen American HS in Germany for 1 season, assisting for 2. Hubbard retired from service in May ‘07 and now lives in Columbus with his wife and three daughters. Majors in health & physical education at CSU and will seek a teaching credential.
Team Manager Davenport is in his third season as equipment manager for Cougar basketball. He came to CSU after playing two seasons of basketball at Chattahoochee Valley Community College for head coach Richard Mahone.
Senior Forward, 6’-4” - 190 lbs. Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
2008-09: Played 27 games with 13 starts, averaging 9.7 PPG and 4.7 RPG. Shot 75% freethrows and 35% behind the arc. Scored a season high 22 pts. against USC Aiken. Second on the team with 22 blocks. JuCo: Averaged 5.1 PPG and 3.8 RPG in two seasons at Los Angeles City College (CA). Started 20 games in 07-08 for current CSU Asst. Coach Hyneman. Graduate of Alexander High School in Los Angeles, CA. Averaged 10 PPG and 7.3 RPG as a 4-year senior. Career high was 27 points. Wants to go skydiving one day.
Senior Guard, 5’-10” - 160 lbs. Hometown: Columbus, GA
2008-09: Saw limited play in 12 games. 2007-08: Redshirted due to leg injury. 2006-07: Played 15 games with
4 assists in one game.
2005-06: Played 5 games, scoring
2 points and an assist. Graduate of Northside High School in Columbus. Member of Northside’s first varsity team, helped the squad to a 14-12 record. Averaged 17.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.0 APG and 2 steals/game. Named MVP, 1st Team All-Region 2-AAA and earned All-Tournament honors twice.
Senior Guard, 6’-3” - 180 lbs. Hometown: Atlanta, GA
2008-09: Played in 26 games with 14 starts,
averaging 6.5 PPG and 2.2 RPG. Shot 62% freethrows and 39% behind the arc. Season high 25 points in a home win over Carver Bible.
JuCo: Averaged 13.0 PPG, 5.0 APG and 3.0 APG in two seasons at Columbus State CC (OH) and was selected All-Conference and All-Tournament. Graduate of John Hardin High School in Elizabethtown, KY. Averaged 1.50 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 4.0 APG. Selected Region Player of the Year and All-State in one season of play.
Senior Forward, 6’-5” - 210 lbs. Hometown: Lanett, AL 2008-09: Started all 27 games, averaged 8.9 PPG and 4.5 RPG. Shot 47% freethrows & led Cougars in blocks with 28. Season high 17 pts. over Lander. JuCo: Averaged 7.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 2 blocks/ game in two seasons at Chattahoochee Valley CC. Team captain in soph. season. Graduate of Lanett High School. Averaged 10 PPG and 12 RPG. Team was state runner-up in 2005 and 2006. Enjoys video games and would like to travel overseas.
Junior Guard, 5’-9” - 180 lbs. Opelika, AL 2008-09: Averaged 2.5 PPG in 23 games with 1 start. Shot 75% freethrows and 29% behind the arc. Scored a season high 9 points over Carver Bible. 2007-08: Scored 7 points in 7 games with 9 assists and only 3 turnovers. Play limited by injury. Graduate of Opelika High School where he played 4 seasons and was 4-time MVP. Team captain and member of All Bi-City team. Scored over 1,000 points with 82% freethrows in his HS career. Aspires to TRAy become an orthodontist after graduation.
#2 HOLLOWAy
Junior Guard, 6’-2” - 175 lbs. Fontana, CA Newcomer to CSU basketball, a transfer from Chaffey Community College in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Led Chaffey to a 27-7 record and the Souther California CC Regional Finals. Named All-Foothill Conference and team captain. Averaged 12.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 2.6 APG. Shot 80% freethrows and 42% 3-pts. Single game high was 30 points. Graduate of Fontana High School, named to All-League team in junior and senior years. Favorite food is Mexican. Enjoys LAMAR playing dominoes and would love to travel internationally.
#4 WILLIAMS
Junior Guard, 5’-10” - 160 lbs. Columbus, GA Transfer student-athlete from Coastal Georgia CC in Brunswick, GA, where he was ranked 3rd in the nation for assists (7.9) and steals (4.0) per game in his second season. Averaged 10 PPG in 20 games and shot 36% behind the arc. Graduate of Shaw High School. Averaged 17.5 PG in his senior year, was 3-time All-City selection, 3-time MVP and 3-time team captain. Scored 1,396 points with 856 assists in his HS career. Favorite food is pizza. Enjoys playing basketball and cards in his spare time. Most memorable BRyANT athletic achievement was receiving MVP and Captain’s Award.
#5 THOMAS
Junior Guard, 6’-3” - 195 lbs. Baltimore, MD New to Columbus State after two seasons at Howard CC in Columbia, MD. Averaged 20 PPG and led his league in steals. Named 2nd team NJCAA All-Region XX in 2007-08 and 1st team All-Region in 2005-06. All-American honorable mention. Graduate of Lake Clifton-Eastern High School in Baltimore; member of 4A Regional Championship team. Favorite movie is “Above the Rim.” Enjoys spending time with his family and would like to jet ski DONTA and skydive someday. Most memorable athletic achievement was winning his HS championship.
#15 RIDLEy
Junior Forward, 6’-7” - 215 lbs. Riverside, CA Transfers from Riverside CC for the 2009-10 season at CSU. Averaged 5.3 PPG and 3.5 RPG in two seasons, scoring in the double digits six times in his final two months of 2008-09. Member of the 2009 California Junior College State Championship team. Graduate of La Sierra High School in Riverside. Averaged 25 PPG and 15 RPG in 4 seasons and was selected to Best of the West All-Star team. Favorite movie is “Boomerang.” Enjoys fixing cars in his spare time. JEFFETH Lists his mother as his hero and Jesus Christ as having the most influence on him.
#20 MAXIM
Junior Center, 7’-0” - 220 lbs. Jacksonville, FL Newcomer to CSU basketball, transferring from Daytona State CC in Daytona Beach, FL. Averaged 5.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG and 4.8 blocks per game in one season. Played freshman year at Trinity Valley JC in Texas where he led the conference with 4.9 blocks per game. Graduate of Wolfson High in Jacksonville where he was named Defensive Player of the Year and had 188 blocks his JEREMy senior season. Enjoys reading and playing music in his spare time.
#34 GRIMBALL
Sophomore Forward, 6’-10” - 215 lbs. Manchester, England New to both Columbus State and the United States, Taylor played for the City of Nottingham Club team in 2006, averaging 19 points and 9 rebounds per game. Art major at CSU, enjoys photography, movies and long walks in his spare time. Lists his mother as his inspiration.
#45 TAyLOR TyRONE
#1
Freshman Guard, 6’-3” - 175 lbs. Carrollton, TX Graduate of Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, averaged 20.3 PPG and 9.4 RPG in three seasons. Shot 93% freethrows and 67% behind the arc and holds school record for most 3-pts in a game (7 on two occasions). Selected team captain all three years, named district 10 Player of the Year 4-A, and was MVP in the NTBA All-Star game. Graduated in top 15% of his class with a 3.8 GPA as a National Honor Scholar.
BLAKEN
ZAMUDIO
Favorite food is Italian. Enjoys watching TV and hanging out with his friends in his spare time.
Freshman Forward, 6’-7” - 190 lbs. Dalton, GA Joins the Cougars after a successful HS career at Dalton High School. Threeyear varsity player, twice named 7AAAA 1st Team All-Region and 1st Team All-Northwest Georgia. Averaged 15 PPG, 7.7 RPG and 5.1 blocks/game as a senior, 11.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 4.1 blocks/game as a junior. Won the “Dunk” competition in the Make-A-Wish All-Star Games hosted at Christian Heritage High School in Dalton. Loves his mom’s cubed steak & gravy. Holds the record CAZ for most cheese eggs eaten (14) at his hometown Waffle House in Dalton.
#21 COLE
Freshman Guard, 6’-2” - 200 lbs. Shiloh, GA Graduate of Harris County High School in Hamilton, GA. Averaged 16 PPG, 4.5 RPG and 6.2 APG as a senior. Was named MVP in junior and senior years and Honorable Mention All Bi-City in 2009. Selected to ‘09 Herb Greene All-Star team. Loves pizza. Favorite movie is “Love and Basketball.” Enjoys playing basketball and hanging out with friends in his spare time. ANTHONy Lists his family as having the most influence on him.
#24 SMITH
Freshman Forward, 6’-4” - 175 lbs. Snellville, GA Graduate of Shiloh High School in Snellville. Averaged 11.6 PPG and 7.4 RPG his senior season. Boasts a 41-inch vertical leap. Loves to eat chicken alfredo. Favorite actor is Will Smith. Enjoys playing video games in his spare time. Would love to go skydiving one day. Lists his parents as having the most influence on him.
#25 SMITH DARIUS
Nestled in Georgia’s Chattahoochee River Valley, Columbus State University offers comprehensive learning opportunities to about 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students. Building on the success of a recent $100 million capital campaign, CSU has renewed its vision of innovative learning environments, dedicated service to community and an uncompromising commitment to education excellence.
CSU’s iconic clock tower in the center of main campus.
Above all else, Columbus State considers itself a teaching university, but its excellence is not confined to the classroom. Students in all majors have rich learning opportunities beyond campus through internships, clinical experiences, study abroad, cooperative education, performances and field research alongside senior professors. Several offcampus centers, including CSU’s Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, Space Science Center and McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians, bolster this mission while also benefiting the region and the state. One of the more exciting recent developments at Columbus State University is the emergence of a new downtown campus devoted to the fine and performing arts. Spectacular new facilities for art, theatre and music include five stages and dozens of state-of-the-art classrooms and studios. The Chattahoochee River, the RiverWalk and more than 300 sophisticated student apartments are within a few blocks, making the CSU RiverPark campus very popular. Construction on a new 96,000 square-foot, $28 million Student Recreation Center began in Summer 2009. The impressive facility both expands and consolidates the recreation options previously available in three separate facilities, and will house an aquatic center for both sport and leisure, a general fitness area, several courts for multiple indoor sports, an indoor track, ballroom, game room, lounges, locker rooms, and student activity and government offices. A grand opening is projected for late 2010. With stellar faculty, impressive facilities and small class sizes, CSU offers a wide range of top-notch educational opportunities, including nationally accredited programs in art, business, nursing, music, theatre and teacher education. The excellence of the university is also available through an expanding variety of online offerings, and an extensive continuing education program. A member of the University System of Georgia, CSU offers more than 50 undergraduate programs and more than 35 master’s or specialist programs ranging from art to pre-med.
2009-10 Columbus State University Men’s Basketball Numerical Roster
# Name Cl. Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown 1 Blake Zamudio Fr. G 6’3” 175 Carrollton, TX 2 Tray Holloway Jr. G 5’9” 180 Opelika, AL 4 Lamar Williams Jr. G 6’2” 175 Fontana, CA 5 Bryant Thomas Jr. G 5’10” 160 Columbus, GA 10 Chris Telesford Sr. F 6’4” 190 Los Angeles, CA 11 Kenroy Jones Fr. G/F 6’4” 185 ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Neth. 12 Stefan Lawrence Sr. G 5’10” 160 Columbus, GA 15 Donta Ridley Jr. G 6’3” 195 Baltimore, MD 20 Jeffeth Maxim Jr. F 6’7” 215 Riverside, CA 21 Caz Cole Fr. F 6’7” 190 Dalton, GA 23 Brandon Bland Sr. G 6’3” 180 Atlanta, GA 24 Anthony Smith Fr. G 6’2” 200 Shiloh, GA 25 Darius Smith Fr. F 6’4” 175 Snellville, GA 32 Nick Gagnon Sr. F 6’5” 210 Lanett, AL 34 Jeremy Grimball Jr. C 7’0” 220 Jacksonville, FL 45 Tyrone Taylor So. F 6’10 215 Manchester, Engl.
Head Coach: Doug Branson (Troy ‘97, Columbus St. ‘05) Assistant Coach: Jim Hyneman (Oregon State ‘80) Graduate Assistant Coach: Jon Griffin Volunteer Assistant Coach: Bruce Hubbard Manager: Drew Davenport
CSU Men’s Basketball played an exhibition soccer game against Women’s Basketball at the women’s soccer Kick for the Cure event in 2009.
Nov
14 Dillard University (Exhibition)
16 University of West Florida
24 Alabama State University
30 Carver Bible College
New Orleans, LA 5:00 PM Pensacola, FL 8:00 PM
Montgomery, AL 8:00 PM Columbus, GA 7:00 PM
Dec
7 Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA 7:30 PM
12 Dillard University
15 University of West Florida
Jan
23 Georgia Southwestern University*
18 Anderson University (S.C)
28 Lander University*
30 Augusta State University*
Columbus, GA 4:00 PM Columbus, GA 7:00 PM
Columbus, GA 5:30 PM
Jan
4 Florida Memorial University
5 Palm Beach Atlantic University
9 North Georgia College & State University*
Miami Gardens, FL 7:00 PM
West Palm Beach, FL 7:00 PM
Columbus, GA 3:30 PM (Women at 1:30)
10 University of South Carolina, Aiken
13 Clayton State University*
16 University of North Carolina, Pembroke*
17 Francis Marion University*
Aiken, SC 4:30 PM (Women at 2:30)
Columbus, GA 7:30 PM (Women at 5:30)
Pembroke, NC 3:30 PM (Women at 1:30)
Florence, SC 3:30 PM (Women at 1:30) 20 Georgia College & State University* Columbus, GA 7:30 PM (Women at 5:30)
Americus, GA 7:30 PM (Women at 5:30)
Columbus, GA 7:30 PM (Women at 5:30) Columbus, GA 3:30 PM (Women at 1:30)
Feb
3 University of Montevallo*
6 North Georgia College & State University*
11 Flagler College*
13 Armstrong Atlantic State University*
17 Clayton State University*
20 Georgia College & State University*
24 Georgia Southwestern State University*
27 University of Montevallo*
Columbus, GA 7:30 PM (Women at 5:30)
Dahlonega, GA 3:30 PM (Women at 1:30)
Columbus, GA 7:30 PM (Women at 5:30)
Columbus, GA 3:30 PM (Women at 1:30) Morrow, GA 7:30 PM (Women at 5:30)
Millegeville, GA 3:30 PM (Women at 1:30) Columbus, GA 7:30 PM (Women at 5:30)
Montevallo, AL 4:30 PM (Women at 2:30)
Mar 1, 5-7 Peach Belt Conference Championships Aiken, SC TBD
12, 13 & 15 NCAA Regionals
Location & Time TBD
24, 25 & 27 NCAA Elite Eight Springfield, MA
* Indicates Peach Belt Conference Play. All times are Eastern. Home games at Lumpkin Arena in RED.