Saturday, November 15, 2008

BUIES CREEK, N.C. - A big day of events on the Campbell campus concludes with a season-opening basketball doubleheader the Camels' new arena, the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center/Gilbert Craig Gore Arena.

The night starts with the Campbell women taking on Coker at 6:00 p.m. For the first time in the program’s history, the Lady Camels will call something else besides Carter Gymnasium “home,” as the team moves in the Pope Center.

"We’re looking forward to opening our schedule in the Pope Convocation Center,” said Watkins. “Being able to open up the season there will definitely be a highlight of our season. It is an exciting time for Lady Camel Basketball and our athletic program here at Campbell. We’ve waited a long time for this, and grateful to everyone that has made this possible. We want to make them proud.”

CU returns nine letterwinners from last year’s 12-18 team that posted a 7-9 Atlantic Sun mark. Three starters also make their return to the program, including the unit’s second-leading scorer from a year ago, senior point guard Lauren Arthur.

In the nightcap, Jonathan Rodriguez leads the men against Chowan, an opponent the Camels last faced in Feb. 1961, when both schools were junior colleges.

Sixth-year coach Robbie Laing’s teams have registered double-digit wins in each of the last three seasons. Four regulars return from the 2007-08 squad that finished 10-20, 5-11 in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

Leading the way is junior forward Jonathan Rodriguez, a two-time A-Sun first-team all-conference performer and ‘08 Mid-Major All-American. He led the A-Sun in scoring (20.9) and ranked second in rebounding (10.1) last season.

Also back is junior center Kyle Vejraska, who chipped in 10 points per outing and shot 51 percent from the floor last year. Sophomore guard Junard Hartley led all A-Sun freshmen in assists (4.4) and minutes played last year, while sophomore forward Preston Dodson saw action in all 30 games.