Tuesday, October 16, 2001

BLUE HOSE MEN’S BASKETBALL OPENS 2001-02 PRESEASON PRACTICE
Men’s team begins preseason in preparation for 2001-02 season

CLINTON, SC — Presbyterian College men’s basketball teams opened preseason practice in preparation for the upcoming 2001-02 season this week.

Head Coach Gregg Nibert enters his 13th-year atop the Blue Hose men’s basketball program. Nibert returns three starters and nine letterwinners from last season’s squad which posted a 19-10 overall record and finished runner-up for the South Atlantic Conference Tournament title.   “We are very excited about the beginning of preseason practice,” said Nibert.

“We have had some tough breaks with injuries already this year and we are down to 10 players on the squad, but the team’s work ethic and dedication couldn't be better. We will be looking for leadership from different places with the squad having no seniors this year, but our returning upperclassmen will be ready to lead on and off the court and that will be the key to our success.”

The Blue Hose are led by All-SAC performer, junior guard Chuck Rayford. Rayford, a native of Greenville, SC, averaged 16.7 points and 3.1 assists while shooting 36.9% from three-point land. Joining Rayford is returning junior starters forward Jeff Whittle and center Rod Isom. Whittle, a native of Strasburg, VA, averaged 7.7 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 37.7% from three-point land. Isom, a native of Anderson, SC, had a breakout year averaging 9.1 points, 7.0 rebounds while shooting 62.5%% from the field.

The Blue Hose officially begin practice on October 15 and open the 2001-02 season at home on November 9 as they host the Columbia Sharkheads in exhibition action starting at 7:00 pm.

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