Roadrunners' first practice set for Friday
| Wednesday, Oct 14 2009 11:01 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Oct 14 2009 11:01 PM
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Santwon Latunde is getting a bonus year.
An early-season injury two seasons ago enabled Cal State Bakersfied's senior center-forward to apply for an injury redshirt year, which was granted. Without that, he would have exhausted his eligibility last season.
"That year was a blessing," said Latunde, last season's leading rebounder and No. 2 scorer. "Last year I made a lot of progress. I'm a step ahead of where I'd be (without the redshirt year)."
Latunde and the rest of the Roadrunners will be back in action this week as the team holds its the first practice of the season Friday.
"Everyone is excited about the first day of practice," said senior forward Trent Blakley, last season's leading scorer. "I expect a lot of mistakes. We're all so anxious. We're ready for our season."
The team also announced the addition of Chris Smith, a two-time South Coast Conference scoring champion from L.A. Southwest JC, who averaged 26.2 ppg as a freshman and 18.4 as a sophomore.
But the Roadrunners also recently lost junior point guard Alex Johnson to a season-ending ACL injury to his right knee.
"That's a deep blow," said junior Donavan Bragg, who figures to play the bulk of the point guard minutes this season. "He and I got a little bond on the court together."
Bragg said the most important goal before the Nov. 13 season opener at Rabobank Arena against Santa Clara is developing chemistry.
"If we do that, we'll be successful," Bragg said.
Two of the four first-year players are freshman Stephon Carter, a 6-foot-3 guard who was a standout at Garces High, and James Albright, a 6-6 forward from Oakland, a redshirt last season.
"It's very exciting for me," said Carter. "Just to play in college is a fun experience. I'm trying to soak it all in right now."
Albright said his excitement has grown because he sat out last season.
"What's most exciting for me is I can play in a game, my first college game," Albright said. "I'm ready. I've got it (the date) marked on my calendar."
The enthusiasm extends to the coaching staff.
"I'm really excited," said head coach Keith Brown. "I think the players have worked extremely hard. We're in much better shape than we've been in at the start of practice."
Brown said the strength of the team is a core of returnees with extensive playing time last season. "They've been through the wars," he said. "This is a team that should be bigger, stronger, faster and deeper than any team we've had before."
