Oct. 13, 2006
KENNESAW, Ga. - Exuberance and intensity was in the air on Friday evening as Kennesaw State head coach Tony Ingle and the Owls hit the court for the first official day of practice on Friday evening.
Ingle and the Owls are back on the court for the second time this season as they received 10 days of practice in August as they prepared for a pair of exhibition games in the Bahamas over Labor Day weekend.
The Owls hit the KSU Convocation Center court at 9:00 p.m. on Friday with a high-intensity session, a familiar trademark of Ingle and his up-tempo philosophy.
"The practice was real intense today," said senior Brent Ragsdale. "Every practice we have is going to be intense because that's the way Coach Ingle is and that's the way he expects us to be. This year I know the practices will be more intense because we have the athletes and the depth to go hard each day."
The two-hour session featured work on offense and defense and also included the beginning introductions of new plays and sets.
"We all came to work hard and get after it," added Ragsdale. "We're real focused on playing defense and all of us are in tune with what the coaches are trying to do."
The 2006-07 version of the Owls features the senior combination of Ragsdale and Golden Ingle. The pair represents two of four starters returning from last year's squad. Ronell Wooten, Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Conference selection, and last year's A-Sun Freshman of the Year Andre Morgan will lead a squad that also features the return of Shuan Stegall back to the lineup after redshirting last season.
"The coaches and the players are really excited about getting things together and beginning practice," smiled the ever-energetic Ingle. "There is nothing better than a good fall breeze that lets you know basketball is in the air. Everyone is so excited around campus, I've never seen so much enthusiasm this early since I've been here."
Kennesaw State will open up its second Division I season next month when they host Western Kentucky on November 11 at the KSU Convocation Center.
