“The first thing fans are going to notice about me is that I lost 30 pounds over the summer”, said Rudy Turner. I worked out almost everyday while I was in summer school. It’s made me faster, quicker, and stronger and that will make me a better post player this year”.
As a true Freshman out of Peabody Magnet HS, Rudy (6’8 260) was a part time starter averaging right at 16 minutes a game and leading the team with 29 blocked shots. “We know we have to come together as a team, as a whole. If we do that then we will have a successful season”.
Last year rebounding (minus 138) was an issue for the Warhawks as well as an inside defensive presence. Teams were able to take advantage of the Warhawks size in the paint but Turner says that won’t be the case in 2008. “We got a lot bigger with guys like Nathaniel Roche (6’8) Malcolm Thomas (6’6), and Lawrence Gilbert (6’7) in the line up this year”. Gilbert (Miami transfer) will bring size and skill to the forward position after sitting out all of last season due to NCAA transfer rules. Also returning for the Warhawks will be a very athletic defender in Mitch Hampton (6’7) out of Ouachita High School right here in Monroe.
”It was hard watching my teammates play last year and not be able to help them”, said Gilbert. Lose or win I wanted to be out there with them. Look for guards Dynile Forbes (6’2) and Jarvis Hill (6’2) to have an immediate impact and help take the pressure off senior Tony Hooper.
ULM will look to rebound from last years 10-21 record and make another run at a Western Division Championship like they captured in the 06-2007 season. Coach Orlando Early is entering his fourth season as the Warhawks coach and has a career 38-53 record including a 28-12 record inside Fant Ewing Coliseum.