AUGUSTA, Ga. – Coming off the winningest season in school history, the Augusta State Jaguars hit the floor officially for the first time in 2009-10 on Thursday, Oct. 15.

The ASU men’s basketball squad opens preseason workouts Thursday night at 8:00 p.m., while the Lady Jaguars, beginning their second season under head coach Tes Sobomehin, kick off their preparations Thursday morning with a two-hour session beginning at 5:45 a.m., with an afternoon workout slated from 2:45 to 4:00 p.m.

The Jags return three starters -- senior All-American guard Ben Madgen, along with All-Peach Belt Conference senior guard/forward Fred Brathwaite and senior forward Greg Hire. Senior point guard Daniel Dixon, junior guard/forward Caleb Brown, junior forward Howard Brown, sophomore guard Tye Beal and redshirt freshman Travis Keels return as well along with lettermen Sadonas Davis and Daniel Browning. Newcomers expected to make an immediate impact include senior forward Alex Brown, junior Franck Ndongo and freshman point guard Dominic Morra.

“We’ve learned that they don't size you for rings in October,” said ASU head coach Dip Metress, who’s entering his sixth season at the helm of the program. “The most important thing for us is to figure out how we can replace three seniors who led us to an 81-19 record the last three years.”

The Lady Jags, who return a pair of starters in senior point guard Eboni Davis and senior shooting guard Brittany Jarrard, will have a completely new look in 2009-10. Reserve forwards Stacey Lampkin and Asha Gwynn will be joined by 11 newcomers.

“The preseason has been exceptional,” Sobomehin said. “We’re excited to get into our routine and begin to build the team cohesiveness on the court.”

The Jags open their season at home on Sunday, Nov. 15 vs. West Georgia while the Lady Jags get underway on Friday, Nov. 20 when they host the Lady Jaguar Tip-Off Classic.