Blazer Basketball Game Program vs. West Georgia

Dec. 1 / vs. West Georgia / 6 PM - 8 PM / The Complex RED CLAY RIVALRY SERIES

Thomas H. Moseley, Jr.,M.D. Bolan P. Woodward, M.D. Roy E. Swindle, M.D. Alexander M. Culbreth, III, M.D. Kimberly N. Cross, M.D. Ana M. Hernandez, M.D. (Tifton)

GO BLAZERS!

220 Northside Dr. Valdosta, GA 31602 (229) 241-2800

1337 BAYTREE RD

229.333.9747

2022 BLAZER HOOPS

BLAZER GAMEDAY

GAMEDAY

2022 BLAZER HOOPS

LADY BLAZER GAMEDAY

GAMEDAY

HEAD COACH MIKE HELFER Head Coach:

E

Mike Helfer

ntering his 18th year with Valdosta State, Mike Helfer has established himself as one of the top coaches in the nation. he has recorded a 337164 record, including 14 winning seasons, and he has repeatedly established his program as one of the most exciting teams in the Gulf South Conference, South Region, and nationwide.

Helfer has guided the red and black to eight NCAA tournament appearances along with five-straight Gulf South Conference regular season titles. Helfer also led the 2020-21 Blazers to the prgoram’s first Gulf South Conference Tournament Championship. He has won 20 or more games four of the last five years and eight Records Broken Under Helfer times during his time in Titletown. Helfer has also Victories in a Season gone 93-37 over the last five years, marking the most 2009-10: 28 wins in a five-year stretch in program history.

Points in a Season 2018-19: 2,782 In 2020-21, the Blazers finished on top of the GSC East Free Throw Attempts in a Season Division with a 14-4 overall record. Helfer reached 2009-10: 812 his 500th career victory during a 91-87 win against Auburn Montgomery in 24 seasons of coaching. Helfer Three-Pointers in a Season and the Blazers reached the GSC Tournament Final for 2018-19: 320 the second year in-a-row last season. Helfer coached Three-Pointers in a Game three All-Tournament Team players last season, along (February 28, 2015 at West with the Most Outstanding Player Burke Putnam. The Florida): 21 Blazers’ GSC Tournament win solidified the four seed Assists in a Season in the NCAA South Region before the team finished the 2018-19: 554 season ranked 24th nationally.

Blocked Shots in a Season 2012-13: 212 In 2018-19, the Blazers clinched their third-straight Season Records league regular season title, finishing the season 24-7 2005-2006: 17-11 (7-7 GSC) and 16-4 in the GSC. With a senior-led team, including standout Beau Justice, the Blazers reached the Gulf 2006-2007: 20-9 (8-4 GSC) South Conference semifinal round and earned a berth 2007-2008: 18-11 (8-4 GSC) into the NCAA South Regional. Justice finished his 2008-2009: 24-7 (9-3 GSC) career as the all-time leader in made 3-pointers with 2009-2010: 28-5 (9-1 GSC) 257, while he finished with 1,754 points for fourth all2010-2011: 21-9 (7-5 GSC) time in school history in just three seasons at VSU. In 2011-2012: 11-16 (3-11 GSC) addition, Helfer’s squad set the school-record for points 2012-2013: 19-10 (9-9 GSC) in a season (2,782), three-pointers made (320), free throw 2013-2014: 16-12 (9-11 GSC) percentage (.765) and assists (554).

2014-2015: 10-18 (5-17 GSC) 2015-2016: 17-11 (13-9 GSC) Prior to his time as a head coach, Helfer spent seven 2016-2017: 26-6 (19-3 GSC) years as an assistant coach. He began his career at his alma mater, Division III Capital University, where he served 2017-2018: 26-5 (18-2 GSC) as an assistant for two years. Upon leaving Capital, Helfer 2018-2019: 24-7 (16-4 GSC) joined the coaching staff at Division I Kent State in 1991 2019-2020: 26-4 (18-2 GSC) and worked with the school through the 1994-95 season.

2020-2021: 17-5 (14-4 GSC) He also served as an assistant with Division II Grand 2021-2022: 11-16 (7-13 GSC) Valley State during the 1996-97 season, helping the Lakers to a 23-6 record and the NCAA Division II tournament.

HEAD COACH DEANDRA SHIRMER

D

Head Coach:

Deandra Schirmer

eandra Shirmer led the Lady Blazers to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1984 last season as the team ended the year with a 26-5 record and a 17-2 mark in the Gulf South Conference. The Lady Blazers upset the No. 1-ranked Union last season to clinch a berth into the Elite Eight. in 2021, the Lady Blazers finished 13th in the final Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Top 25 to end the 2021 campaign. Schirmer improved her record to 3615 overall and 26-12 in GSC play, while graduate transfer Kwajelin Farrar earned GSC East Division Player of the Year honors, multiple all-region honors and became the first Lady Blazer since 1995 to earn WBCA First Team All-America accolades in 2021. Farrar became the seventh Lady Blazer to earn WBCA All-America honors in program history.

Farrar finished the season leading the team in scoring at 14.2 points per game. Farrar was 134 of 226 from the field for a 59.3 average from the floor for ninth nationally and second in the GSC. Her 134 field goals made were good for fourth in the GSC and 35th nationally, while her 11 double-doubles put her tenth nationally and third in the league. Her 9.7 rebounds per game put her 33rd nationally and sixth in the league.

She had a team-high 23 blocks for the season in 22 games played and 22 starts.

In her first season in Titletown, Schirmer guided the Lady Blazers to an 18-11 record overall and a 10-10 mark in Gulf South Conference play. Schirmer brought in a couple of key transfers this season in Cheray Saunders and Saniah Simpson-Patu. Schirmer’s squad also had junior Kayla Bonilla who eclipsed the 1,000 career point mark as the 27th player in school history to do so. Schirmer had her biggest win of the season as the Lady Blazers upset then-No. 4-ranked Lee 74-68 on Dec. 17, 2019. Bonilla earned second team all-conference honors this season. As a team, VSU finished third in the league in free throws made (408) for 61st nationally and was fourth in the league in free throws attempted (576) for 74th nationally. The Lady Blazers also were fourth in 3-point field goal shooting at a 33.3 clip for 78th nationally. Schirmer guided the team to its fourth-straight appearance in the Gulf South Conference Tournament.

Valdosta State Athletic Director Herb Reinhard announced Saturday, May 3, 2019, the hiring of Deandra Shirmer as the next women’s basketball coach at VSU. Schirmer had been an assistant coach at Eckerd College in Florida for the past five years prior to coming to VSU and was elevated to Associate Head Coach in 2018. She also served as recruiting coordinator for the Tritons where her leadership and player development has helped produce the three most successful seasons in program history.

Prior to Schirmer’s arrival at EC, the Tritons had not earned a NCAA postseason bid in the 32-year history of the program.

She began her playing career at Cloud County Community College (Kan.), earning allconference and all-region honors. While at Cloud County, she helped lead the team to a 26-7 record as a sophomore and was named Jayhawk Conference Western Division Second Team and was an all-region selection.

Shirmer earned her bachelor’s degree from USCA in business marketing and earned a master’s degree of sports administration from Georgia State.

History ∙ Tradition ∙ Pride

GO BLAZERS! vs. Hillsdale College Chargers (0-0, 0-0 GMAC)

We Do Chicken Right.

Tailgate with the Colonel ORIGINAL RECIPE – CRISPY – GRILLED STRIPS – HOT WINGS NEW ORIGINAL RECIPE BITES 3 VALDOSTA LOCATIONS

BLAZERS

The Blazers 0 1 2 3 4 5 11 12 15 20 21 22 30 32 33

Athletic Trainer: Gracie Thurson Strength Coach: Marc Struck

Jay Rucker 6’8 240 F Jacolbey Owens 6’1 180 G Maurice Gordon 6’6 190 F Cam Hamilton 5’11 165 G Lee Flenor 6’8 220 F Mike Isler 6’6 190 G/F Mohamed Fofana 6’7 220 F Cam Selders 6’4 180 G Kelan Walker 6’3 175 G Ryan Black 6’2 180 G Chris Connor 6’3 180 G Dylan Garrington 6’2 190 G JJ Williams 5’7 155 G Jace Lavan 6’4 225 F Caden Boser 6’8 230 F

Assistant coach

Nate Nowicki

Head coach Mike Helfer

Jr. Sr. Gr. Gr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Gr. So. RFr. Fr. So. So.

Atlanta, GA / Emmanuel College Warner Robbins, GA / Gulf Coast CC Macon, GA / Gulf Coast CC Charlotte, NC / UNC Pembroke Miami, FL / Miss. Gulf Coast CC Albany, GA / Tallahassee CC New York, NY / Palm Beach State Morgantown, WV / Garrett College Brunswick, GA / Shorter Ocean Springs, MS / Holy Cross Snellville, GA / Parkview HS Bogart, GA / N. Oconee HS Valdosta, GA / Lowndes HS Valdosta, GA / Highland Christian HS Eau Claire, WI / UMKC

Graduate Assistant

Timothy Finlayson

#0 Jay Rucker

#1 Jacolbey Owens

#2 Maruice Gordon

#3 Cam Hamilton

#4 Lee Flenor

#5 Mike Isler

#11 Mohamed Fofana

#12 Cam Selders

#15 Kelan Walker

#20 Ryan Black

#21 Chris Connor

#22 Dylan Garrington

#30 JJ Williams

#32 Jace Lavan

#33 Caden Boser

LADY BLAZERS

The Lady Blazers 00 1 3 4 5 13 15 20 22 23 30 32 34

Jirah Ards 5’6 Tamiya Francis 5’3 Emma Martin 5’11 India Jordan 5’7 Shanice Nelson 5’8 Taylor Searcey 5’7 Lili Long 6’0 Kate Tanner 6’2 Grace Beyer 5’6 Kayla Frey 5’10 Kendall Bollmer 5’8 Aleisha Curry 6’0 Kalifa Ford 5’10

Head coach Deandra Schirmer

G G G G G G F C G G G F G/F

Assistant coach

Alexis Uffmann

RSr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. So. Jr. So. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr.

Eufaula, Ala. / Florida Southern Torontom Ontario / Dawson CC Richfield, Utah / Utah Valley Rochester, N.Y. / School of the Arts Nashville, Tenn. / Chattanooga State CC Lincoln, Neb. / Lincoln East HS Melbourne, AUS / Miles CC Melbourne, AUS / Butler Ponte Vedra, Fla. / Nease HS Douglasville, Ga. / South Paulding HS Dacula, Ga / Dacula HS Lehigh Acres, Fla. / Santa Fe college Bono, Ark. / Oklahoma Baptist

Graduate Assistant

Mallory Odell

Graduate Assistant

Nicole Heyn

#00 Jirah Ards

#1 Tamiya Francis

#3 Emma Martin

#4 India Jordan

#5 Shanice Nelson

#13 Taylor Searcey

#15 Lili Long

#20 Kate Tanner

#22 Grace Beyer

#23 Kayla Frey

#30 Kendall Bollmer

#32 Aleisha Curry

#34 Kalifa Ford

Proudly Supporting Valdosta State University Athletics for over 25 years! sefl.com

800.637.7335

TEAM SHOTS

The Blazers

(Back Row L-R): Johnathan Kinsely, Dylan Harvey, Ryan Black, Jace Lavan Caden Boser, Jay Rucker. Lee Flenor, Mike Isler, Chris Connor, Tim Finlayson, Mike Helfer, Nate Nowicki (Front Row L-R): Keshaun Johnson, Gracie Thurson, Dylan Garrington, Kelan Walker Mohamed Fofana, Jacolbey Owens, Cam Hamilton, Maurice Gordon, Cam Selders, JJ Williams

The Lady Blazers

(L-R): Brianna Jackson, Deandra Schirmer, Taela Johnson, Nicole Heyn, Gracie Brant, Mallory Odell, Grace Beyer, Aleisha Curry, Jirah Ards, Lili Long, Shanice Nelson, Kate Tanner, India Jordan, Emma Martin, Taylor Searcey, Kalifa Ford, Tamiya Francis, Kendall Bollmer, Hayley Widman, Kelsey Raducci, Alexis Uffmann, Charnell Tucker

LADY BLAZER COACHING STAFF

Head coach Deandra Schirmer

Assistant coach Alexis Uffmann Graduate Assistant Mallory Odell Graduate Assistant Nicole Heyn

Student Assistant Taela Johnson

Student Assistant Gracie Brant

Student Assistant Kelsey Raducci

Student Assistant Charnell Tucker

Student Assistant Brianna Jackson

Asst. Athletic Trainer Hayley Widman

BLAZER COACHING STAFF

Assistant coach Nate Nowicki

Head coach Mike Helfer

Graduate Assistant Timothy Finlayson

Student Assistant Johnathan Kinsely

Student Assistant Dylan Harvey

Asst. Athletic Trainer Gracie Thurson

Student Assistant Keshaun Johnson

SUPPORT STAFF

2022-2023 BLAZER BASKETBALL SUPPORT STAFF

Herb Reinhard Director of Athletics

Jennifer Grubbs Senior Assoc. A.D.

Mason Barfield Director of Compliance

Debbie Wisenbaker Executive Assistant

Kit Strief Asst. A.D. Comm.

Bobby Tucker Eligibility Coordinator

Vaconna Hardin

Director of Ticketing & Game Ops.

Dr. David Kuhlmeier Faculty Ath. Rep.

BLAZER STATS 2022-23 Valdosta St. Men's Basketball Season Box Score All games

Game Records Record

Overall

ALL GAMES CONFERENCE NON-CONFERENCE

No. Player 11 FOFANA, Mohamed

Home

6-3 3-1 3-2

Team Box Score GP-GS

33 BOSER, Caden

1 OWENS, Jacolbey

20 BLACK, Ryan 0 RUCKER, Jay

2 GORDON, Maurice 3 HAMILTON, Cam

12 SELDERS, Cam 24 WILLIAMS, JJ

21 CONNOR, Chris 32 LAVAN, Jace

15 WALKER, Kelan

22 GARRINGTON, Dylan

Team

MIN

249:02 27.7

58-96

.604

9-9

298:27 33.2

37-102

.363

259:21 28.8

33-60

9-2 9-7 9-9 9-2 9-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 8-0 4-0

257:04 28.6 207:41 23.1 239:45 26.6 170:45 19.0 99:34 11.1 10:29

3.5

07:31

2.5

10:17 30:29 09:35

Away

3-0 2-0 1-0

3.4 3.8 2.4

42-76 37-80 31-58 26-69 9-15 3-5 2-4 2-5 3-8 0-4

4-15

.267

28-36

.778

8

31

39

4.3

8-24

.333

39-54

.722

4

18

22

2.4

.553

16-36

.463

29-69

.534

11-24

.600

2-3

.550 .377 .600 .500 .400 .375 .000

2-12

17-48 1-2 0-2 0-0 1-2 0-3

.444 .420

27-31 5-5

1.000

8-19

.421

.167

13-26

.354

9-13

.458 .667 .500 .000 .000 .500 .000

.871

18

.692

4

1.000

0-2

.000

0-0 0-0 0-0

9

.500

1-1 0-0

8

.000 .000 .000 .000

15 3 0 2 3 3 0

12

31 31 33 41 16 7 2 1 1 5 0

11

Neutral

1-1 1-1 0-0

Total 3-Point F-Throw Rebounds AVG FG-FGA FG% 3FG-3FGA 3FG% FT-FTA FT% OFF DEF TOT AVG

9-7 9-9

Page 1/1 as of Nov 30, 2022

39 40 51 56 20 10 2 3 4 8 0

23

4.3 4.4 5.7 6.2 2.2 1.1 0.7 1.0 1.3 1.0 0.0

PF DQ 22

0

10

0

24 11 23 16 18 12 1 1 1 3 0

1 0

A

18 12 58 7

2-2 0-0 2-2

TO BLK STL PTS AVG 17

1 16 148 16.4

24

3 15 121 13.4

18 6

0

13

1

17

10

1

1

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

11 11 0 0 4 0

9 8 5 0 0 1 0 1

1

7 127 14.1

3

7 108 12.0

15

7

81

9.0

0 18

78

8.7

11

6

1

7

0

0

0 0 2 0

1 0 2 3

81 21

7 4 4 7 0

9.0 2.3

2.3 1.3 1.3 0.9 0.0

Total

9

1850

283-582 .486

91-240

.379 130-187

.695

89 228 317 35.2 142

2 152 100 37 89 787 87.4

Opponents

9

1850

273-592 .461

79-231

.342 83-121

.686 109 234 343 38.1 161

5 142 146 17 46 708 78.7

Score by Periods Team Valdosta St. Opponents

1st 358 356

2nd 410 328

OT 19 24

TOT 787 708

LADY BLAZER STATS 2022-23 Valdosta St. Men's Basketball Season Box Score All games

Game Records Record

Overall

ALL GAMES CONFERENCE NON-CONFERENCE

No. Player 11 FOFANA, Mohamed

Home

6-3 3-1 3-2

Team Box Score GP-GS

33 BOSER, Caden

1 OWENS, Jacolbey

20 BLACK, Ryan 0 RUCKER, Jay

2 GORDON, Maurice 3 HAMILTON, Cam

12 SELDERS, Cam 24 WILLIAMS, JJ

21 CONNOR, Chris 32 LAVAN, Jace

15 WALKER, Kelan

22 GARRINGTON, Dylan

Team

MIN

249:02 27.7

58-96

.604

9-9

298:27 33.2

37-102

.363

259:21 28.8

33-60

9-2 9-7 9-9 9-2 9-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 8-0 4-0

257:04 28.6 207:41 23.1 239:45 26.6 170:45 19.0 99:34 11.1 10:29

3.5

07:31

2.5

10:17 30:29 09:35

Away

3-0 2-0 1-0

3.4 3.8 2.4

42-76 37-80 31-58 26-69 9-15 3-5 2-4 2-5 3-8 0-4

4-15

.267

28-36

.778

8

31

39

4.3

8-24

.333

39-54

.722

4

18

22

2.4

.553

16-36

.463

29-69

.534

11-24

.600

2-3

.550 .377 .600 .500 .400 .375 .000

2-12

17-48 1-2 0-2 0-0 1-2 0-3

.444 .420

27-31 5-5

1.000

8-19

.421

.167

13-26

.354

9-13

.458 .667 .500 .000 .000 .500 .000

.871

18

.692

4

1.000

0-2

.000

0-0 0-0 0-0

9

.500

1-1 0-0

8

.000 .000 .000 .000

15 3 0 2 3 3 0

12

31 31 33 41 16 7 2 1 1 5 0

11

Neutral

1-1 1-1 0-0

Total 3-Point F-Throw Rebounds AVG FG-FGA FG% 3FG-3FGA 3FG% FT-FTA FT% OFF DEF TOT AVG

9-7 9-9

Page 1/1 as of Nov 30, 2022

39 40 51 56 20 10 2 3 4 8 0

23

4.3 4.4 5.7 6.2 2.2 1.1 0.7 1.0 1.3 1.0 0.0

PF DQ 22

0

10

0

24 11 23 16 18 12 1 1 1 3 0

1 0

A

18 12 58 7

2-2 0-0 2-2

TO BLK STL PTS AVG 17

1 16 148 16.4

24

3 15 121 13.4

18 6

0

13

1

17

10

1

1

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

11 11 0 0 4 0

9 8 5 0 0 1 0 1

1

7 127 14.1

3

7 108 12.0

15

7

81

9.0

0 18

78

8.7

11

6

1

7

0

0

0 0 2 0

1 0 2 3

81 21

7 4 4 7 0

9.0 2.3

2.3 1.3 1.3 0.9 0.0

Total

9

1850

283-582 .486

91-240

.379 130-187

.695

89 228 317 35.2 142

2 152 100 37 89 787 87.4

Opponents

9

1850

273-592 .461

79-231

.342 83-121

.686 109 234 343 38.1 161

5 142 146 17 46 708 78.7

Score by Periods Team Valdosta St. Opponents

1st 358 356

2nd 410 328

OT 19 24

TOT 787 708

WEST GEORGIA MBB STATS 2022-23 Valdosta St. Women's Basketball Season Box Score All games

Game Records Record

Overall

ALL GAMES CONFERENCE NON-CONFERENCE

No. Player 1 FRANCIS, Tamiya

13 SEARCEY, Taylor 20 TANNER, Kate 15 LONG, Lili

3 MARTIN, Emma 4 JORDAN, India

30 BOLLMER, Kendall 00 ARDS, Jirah

32 CURRY, Aleisha

5 NELSON, Shanice

22 BEYER, Grace

Team

Home

4-2 3-1 1-1

Team Box Score GP-GS

190:57 31.8

23-59

.390

12-31

.387

6-6

115:08 19.2

19-43

.442

1-1

1.000

.455

11-25

.440

.350

6-19

.400

0-0

6-6 6-1 6-0 4-0 5-5 4-0 5-0 1-0

Away

2-2 1-1 1-1

196:30 32.7 191:36 31.9 108:19 18.1 98:22 16.4 69:43 17.4

165:06 33.0 32:54

8.2

04:03

4.1

27:22

5.5

20-52 14-39 15-33 10-29 7-20 9-37 2-5 1-5 0-1

.385 .359 .345 .243 .200 .000

2-8

5-20 2-9

2-11 1-3 0-0

5-9

.556

16-29

.552

.250

19-23

.250

16-21 1-2

.500

.000

0-0

5.2

24

0-0

.000

31

6

1.000

.333

18

.762

2-2 5-5

1.7

24

.182 .000

10

22

13-18 0-0

4

.826

.222 .316

6

.722 .000

1.000

.000

13

1 1 3

5 8 1

46 30

6 9 4

5

16

21

1

5

6

3 0

15

3 0

14

6 0

29

7.7 5.0 1.0 1.5 1.0 4.2 1.5 1.2 0.0

PF DQ A 10

0 13

25

3

8

0

2

0

3

11 22

6 9 2 8 4 2 0

Total

6

1200

120-323 .372

42-127

.331 77-109

.706

76 122 198 33.0

Opponents

6

1200

115-279 .412

38-98

.388 67-96

.698

53 132 185 30.8 115

Score by Periods Team Valdosta St. Opponents

1st 84 98

2nd 93 81

3rd 87 74

4th OT 95 0 82 0

TOT 359 335

Neutral

2-0 2-0 0-0

Total 3-Point F-Throw Rebounds AVG FG-FGA FG% 3FG-3FGA 3FG% FT-FTA FT% OFF DEF TOT AVG

MIN

6-6 6-6

Page 1/1 as of Nov 30, 2022

99

0 16 1 10 0

1

0 11 0

3

0

0

0

0

0-0 0-0 0-0

TO BLK STL PTS AVG 15

0 13

63 10.5

15

1

8

55

9.2

3

3

42

7.0

23 16

1 4 3 4 6 5 0

12

4 67 104

1 16 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

5 5 2 4 1 1 0

61 10.2 49 35 20 22

9 3 0

8.2 5.8 5.0 4.4

2.3 0.6 0.0

6 58 359 59.8

5 61 123 23 41 335 55.8

WEST GEORGIA WBB STATS 2022-23 West Ga. Men's Basketball Season Box Score All games

Game Records Record

Overall

ALL GAMES CONFERENCE NON-CONFERENCE

No. Player 1 ZABETAKIS, Michael 5 SASSER, Jalen

3 JACKSON, Zawdie

11 GRIFFIN, Kolten 20 BARNES, J.J.

2 DONATLAN, Camron

13 FISHER, Cole

25 GINI, Tommaso

10 GRIFFIN, Michael 12 BEATY, Braxton

Team

Home

3-1 3-0 0-1

Team Box Score GP-GS

MIN

25-46

.543

10-21

.476 15-21

.714

4-4

140:13 35.1

18-35

.514

2-8

.250 19-22

.864

4-0 1-0 4-4 4-0 3-0 4-0

Neutral

1-1 1-0 0-1

0-0 0-0 0-0

Total 3-Point F-Throw Rebounds AVG FG-FGA FG% 3FG-3FGA 3FG% FT-FTA FT% OFF DEF TOT AVG PF DQ A TO BLK STL PTS AVG

128:51 32.2

4-4

Away

2-0 2-0 0-0

4-4 4-4

Page 1/1 as of Nov 30, 2022

109:10 27.3 133:55 33.5 113:55 28.5 13:01 13.0

26-46 13-31 7-27 2-6

82:19 20.6

7-21

11:36

1-1

44:41 11.2 22:19

3.9 5.6

3-11 0-3

.565

0-0

.419

5-13

.333

0-0

.259

1-5

.333

3-11

1.000

0-0

.273 .000

3-9

.000

7-10

.385

2-4

.000

1-2

.333

0-0

.200 15-16 .273 .000

0-0

.000

15

21

5.3 14

1 10

9

0

7

75 18.8

2

6

8

2.0 11

0 25

9

1

5

57 14.3

12

.500

7

24

31

0

3

3

.938 .500

3-3

1.000

1-1

1.000

0-0

6

.700

.000 .000

6 0 0 1 1 4

6

5 7 4 4 1 9

18

11

7 4 5 2

13

4.5 10 7.8

5

3.0

0

2.8 1.8 1.0 1.7 0.5

5 2 5 1 2

0

2

0

5

0

0

0 0 0 0 0

9 6 1 0 1

6 4 5 1 3 0 1 1

9 2 0 0 1 1 1 0

5 5 5 1

59 14.8 33 30

5

8.3 7.5

5.0

2

20

5.0

1

3

1.0

1 0

9 0

2.3 0.0

Total

4

800

102-227

.449

24-67

.358 63-79

.797

39

84 123 30.8 55

1 59 39 15 32 291 72.8

Opponents

4

800

101-223

.453

37-89

.416 43-55

.782

42

95 137 34.3 69

0 61 60 13 18 282 70.5

Score by Periods Team West Ga. Opponents

1st 130 137

2nd 161 145

OT 0 0

TOT 291 282

WEST GEORGIA ROSTERS

WEST GEORGIA WOLVES WBB # NAME HT POS. CL. HOMETOWN/ PREVIOUS SCHOOL 1 J’Hane McDonald 5’8 F Jr. Conyers, GA/ Rockdale County 2 Maya Timberlake 5’10 G Sr. Norcross, GA/ Greater Atlanta Christian 3 Stephanie Torres 5’6 G Jr. Orlando, FL/ Colonial 5 Katelyn Dunning 5’5 G Fr. Kennesaw, GA/ Mount Paran Christian 10 Calie Thrower 5’6 G Fr. Cumming, GA/ West Forsyth 11 Sophia Singer 6’0 G Jr. Woodstock, Ga/ Woodstock HS 13 Becca Ledford 5’7 G Fr. Blue Ridge, GA/ Fannin County 14 Sara Viti 5’11 G Rs-Fr. Buford, GA/ Buford HS 15 Aniedi Nsentip 5’4 G Jr. Riverdale, GA/ Drew HS 20 Anna Gernatt 5’10 G Fr. Kennesaw, GA/ Harrison HS 23 Peace Okeke 6’0 F Sr. Abache, Nigeria/ Davidson Academy 24 Aliyah Washington 5’9 F Fr. Dallas, GA/ North Paulding HS 25 Ranajah Verdell 5’11 F So. Toccoa, GA/ Stephens County Head Coach: Joanna Reitz Assistant Coach: Rapheal Harris

WEST GEORGIA WOLVES MBB # 0 1 2 3 5 10 11 12 13 20 23 24 25 Head

NAME POS HT. Quinton McElroy G 6-2 Michael Zabetakis G/F 6-5 Camron Donatlan G 6-3 Zawdie Jackson G 5-11 Jalen Sasser F 6-7 Michael Griffin G 6-4 Kolten Griffin F 6-6 Braxton Beaty G 6-3 Cole Fisher G 6-1 J.J. Barnes G 6-0 Charlie Crafton F 6-5 Amari Davis C 6-8 Tomasso Gini F 6-8 Coach: Dave Moore Assistant

CL. HOMETOWN/ PREVIOUS SCHOOL R.So. Powder Springs, GA/ McEachern Gr. Cumming, GA/ West Forsyth Jr. Aurora, IL/ West Aurora So. Snellville, GA/ Shiloh Sr. Little Rock, AZ/ Central So. Jacksonville, FL So. St. Joseph, MO/ Lafayette R-Fr. Cumming, GA/ Lambert R-So. Cincinnati, OH/ Cincinnati Hills Jr. Marietta, GA/ Kennesaw Mountain Sr. Bremen, GA/ Bremen Jr. Suwanee, GA/ Peachtree Ridge Sr. Italy/IMG Academy Coach: Andy Young

THE COMPLEX

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he Complex serves as the home to the Valdosta State basketball programs as well as Blazer volleyball.

One of the rowdiest arenas in the NCAA Division II ranks, The Complex seats 5,350 fans for each Blazer home event. The venue nearly reached it’s capacity during the 2009-10 men’s basketball season, when a record 4,616 fans gathered on February 27, 2010 to watch Valdosta State take on the West Georgia Wolves.

The Complex has undergone several renovations since its opening in 1983 and is today one of the top arenas in the Gulf South Conference. The most recent update and perhaps one of the largest to the facility was a complete renovation of the lobby area in 2013. Locker room renovations were also implemented that same year. Prior to the 2006-07 season, the lower level seating along each sideline was replaced with new cushioned armchair-style seats.

The entire south side seating in the lower level, as well as selected rows on the north side, are reserved seating for Valdosta State’s season ticket holders. Meanwhile, the lower end zone seating area, as well as the entire upper bowl, features bench style seating.

The benches for athletic events are located along the side sideline of the arena. Meanwhile, the west end zone bleachers are used to seat the Valdosta State cheerleaders, Red Hots dance team and pep band as well as the student-run Complex Crazies. The Complex also serves as a concert venue for select shows throughout the year, and graduation ceremonies are also often held in the arena.

In addition to the arena, The Complex also houses newly renovated locker rooms for Valdosta State’s two basketball teams, the volleyball program and the school’s two tennis teams.

The south hall of the building also features two visiting team locker rooms as well as faculty locker rooms.

Offices housing Valdosta State’s Athletic Department are located along the east corridor of the facility while the University’s Kinesiology and Physical Education Department, a branch of VSU’s College of Education, is housed along the north hall.

Classrooms, utilized by both the Athletic Department and KSPE Department, can also be found along both the north and south halls.

One of Valdosta State’s four Athletic Training Rooms, which features a full line of equipment for the needs of Blazer athletes, can be found along the north hall while the upper bowl of the arena also includes an indoor walking/running track.

Evidence of Valdosta State’s athletic dominance can be found throughout The Complex as the Athletic Department trophy case is located across the south hall from the Athletic Department offices. The trophy cases houses four of Valdosta State’s seven national championship trophies as well a a multitude of Gulf South Conference AllSport trophies and each of the school’s 24 GSC championship trophies along with numerous other momentos from VSU’s athletic past and present. Meanwhile, hanging in the rafters of the arena are banners commemorating some of the best teams in Valdosta State athletic history.

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THE ATHLETIC FIELD HOUSE

he home to the Valdosta State football and women's soccer programs is the Valdosta State Athletic Fieldhouse.

The 41,000 square foot Fieldhouse opened in January 2009 at a cost of $5.8 million, giving the Blazer program one of the top athletic facilities in the nation.

Beyond football and soccer, the fieldhouse also houses the 7,690 square foot Jessie Tuggle Weight Room and a 2,437 square foot state-of-the-art Athletic Training Room that is used by all VSU teams.

The Tuggle Weight Room, which encases nearly 10 times the space of its predecessor, is one of, if not the top, weight facilities among NCAA Division II schools nationwide.

It featJessie Tuggle Weight Room ures 10 brand new eight-post stations as well as a reinforced medicine ball wall.

New self-contained dumbbell stations were also added to the area while a 30-yard speed track was included in the design of the floor. The Jesse Tuggle Weight Room also features elliptical machines and two stationary bikes for cardio workouts and a built-in microphone/stereo system to aid the strength and conditioning staff while working with large groups of VSU athletes. Additionally, each of the 10 eightpost stations has also been pre-wired for video recording, which will be added in the near future, for further evaluation and instruction by the strength and conditioning staff. The newest addition to the facility are two Cognisens "caves," which allow for an increased mental training to provide Blazer athletes with an additional edge in competition. Valdosta State is the only university on any level in the nation to own the Cognisens machines, with additional owners including Manchester United and multiple NHL hockey teams.

Next door to the Tuggle Weight Room is the Athletic Training Room. The area includes offices for the Valdosta State Athletic Training staff and a private physician exam room as well as a hydrotherapy room for rehabilitation work. The main Athletic Training area features six taping stations as well as six additional treatment areas plus a cardiovascular/rehabilitation area featuring stationary bikes.

Additionally, outside of the facility are two lighted football practice fields and a soccer stadium.

The Athletic Fieldhouse features many amenities that will aid the football team as it endures the rigors of a football season. A 3,265 square foot locker room is the centerpiece of the project and is lined with 126 lockers, enough to house all members of the VSU football squad. Adjacent to the locker room is a 2,100 square foot equipment room with secure “Football Locker Roompass-through” equipment bins that allow managers to address the equipment needs of all the Blazers while keeping each player’s equipment separated.

The remainder of the Athletic

Fieldhouse includes a 3,458 square foot office suite for the football coaches as well as 2,200 square feet of meeting rooms, each equipped with state-of-the-art video equipment. The academic needs of the student-athlete is also addressed as a 1,500 square foot computer lab is equipped with 19 computers.

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THE GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE AcademicexcellenceandaleadershiproleinNCAA’sDivisionIImaketheGulfSouthConference(GSC)somethingspecial.Enteringits 51styear,theGSCisacharterDivisionIImemberthatpridesitselfasoneofthefirstconferencestobecreatedandadministeredbyitsCEOs. We take pride in our 50-plus National Team Championships in 13 sports, one individual men’s cross country champion, five men’sgolfindividualchampions,andonetrackandfieldchampion,aswellasmorethan150regionaltitles,especiallybecausethere is no sacrifice on the academic side, where GSC student-athletes graduate at a much higher rate than the general student body.

The conference saw all 13 full-time institutions either earn a conference title or advance to NCAA Championship action in 2021-22.

TheGSCsponsors19sports,including18championshipevents.Officialsponsoredsportsincludebaseball,men’sandwomen’sbasketball, men’sandwomen’scrosscountry,football,men’sandwomen’sgolf,men’sandwomen’ssoccer,softball,men’sandwomen’stennis,men’sand women’strackandfield,andvolleyball.Priortothe2020-21academicyear,theconferenceofficiallyaddedwomen'slacrosseafterthreeseasonsasanemergingsport.

Inthesummerof1970,sixcollegepresidentsmettodiscussathleticsandwhenthemeetingended,anewleagueemerged—theMid-SouthConference.Delta State,FlorenceState(nowNorthAlabama),JacksonvilleState,Livingston(nowWestAlabama),Tennessee-Martin(UTM)andTroyState(TSU)werethechartermembers,butschedulingproblemsforthe1970-71academicyearlimitedtheconferencetoonlyfootball.SoutheastLouisiana(SELA)andNichollsState(NSU)joinedin 1971andtheleagueopenedanofficeinHammond,La.,changeditsnametotheGulfSouthConference,andbeganchampionshipsinninemen’ssports.Mississippi College(MC)andNorthwesternLouisiana(NWLA,nowNorthwesternState)joinedin1972andtwoyearslater,NWLAleftforDivisionI,followedbySELAandNSUin1979.

The conference continued with seven teams until 1981, when the CEOs admitted Valdosta State and West Georgia (1983). In 1991, UTM and TSU went Division I, briefly dropping the GSC back to seven members, but an aggressive expansion resulted in 10 new members: Lincoln Memorial (1992-93); Alabama Huntsville, Henderson State, Central Arkansas and Mississippi University for Women (MUW, 1993-94); West Florida (1994-95); and ArkansasMonticello, Arkansas Tech, Montevallo and Southern Arkansas (1995-96). Jacksonville State moved to Division I at the end of 1992-93. MC dropped to Division III at the end of 1995-96, and was replaced by Christian Brothers to keep the conference at 16 schools. In July 2000, the GSC welcomed Harding University and Ouachita Baptist University, making it the largest NCAA-playing conference at any level with 18 schools. MUW dropped its athletics program at the end of the 2002-03 season, decreasing the membership to 17. Central Arkansas reclassified to Division I and Lincoln Memorial moved to the South Atlantic Conference following the 2006-07 year. Montevallo’s departure for the Peach Belt Conference dropped the number to 14 in 2009-10.

North Alabama completed its final year with the GSC in 2017-18, as the Lions accepted an invitation to go Division I and join the Atlantic Sun Conference.

TheGSCmovedawayfromdivisionalplayafterthe2010-11seasonafteritssixArkansasmembersbrokeaway,droppingthemembershiptoeight.Theleague implementedafive-yearexpansionplanin2012resultingintheadditionofnewmembersShorterUniversity(2014-15),UnionUniversity(2014-15),LeeUniversity (2015-16)andAuburnUniversityatMontgomery(2019-20)alongwiththereturnofMississippiCollege(2016-17)andMontevallo(2017-18).AuburnMontgomery becameaprovisionalmemberin2017-18astheyadvancedthroughtheNCAAmembershipprocess.TheWarhawksareontracktobeafullmember,eligibleforall awardsandpostseasonopportunities,in2019-20.Theconferencealsoadoptedaffiliatemembershipstoboostitsranks,resultinginsport-specificmembers,Flagler(women’slacrosse),NorthGreenville(football),SpringHillCollege(men’sandwomen’ssoccerandwomen’sgolf),andYoungHarrisCollege(women’slacrosse).

BASKETBALL PARTICIPATING MEMBERS

GSC National Championships 1971-2022 (54) Baseball (6) Women's Golf (3) West Florida (2011) Troy State (1984, '86, '89) Delta State (2004) Jacksonville State (1990, '91) Women's Gymnastics (2) Troy State (1986, '87) Jacksonville State (1984, '85)

Men's Basketball (3) Men's Hockey (2) North Alabama (1979, '91) Alabama-Huntsville (1996, '98) Jacksonville State (1985)

Women's Soccer (2) Women's Basketball (7) West Florida (2012) Delta State (1975, '76, '77, '89, '90, '92) Christian Brothers (2002) Southeastern Louisiana (1977)

Softball (2) Football (13) Valdosta State (2012) Valdosta State (2004, '07, '12, '18) North Alabama (2015) Delta State (2000) West Alabama (1971) Men's Tennis (6) West Florida (2019) West Florida (2004, '05', '14, '17) North Alabama (1993, '94, '95) Valdosta State (2006, '11) Jacksonville State (1992) Troy State (1984, '87) Men's Track and Field (1)

Southeastern Louisiana (1975) Men's Golf (5) West Florida (2001, '08) Women's Volleyball (1) Troy State (1976, '77, '84) North Alabama (2003) Lee (2022) *MississippiCollegevacatednationaltitlein1989/Men'sHockeynotGSCSponsoredSport

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