Basketball teams aim high in 2024-25
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia's (ǧÃŬAV) basketball teams tip off their seasons in early November with their sights set on national and Peach Belt Conference (PBC) supremacy.
"We can't wait to see our basketball teams in action this season," Athletics Director said. "Building off our men's program's history-making run in 2024 and our women's team's consistent postseason success, 2024-25 has a chance to be one of our best seasons yet."
Nighthawks seek to build on history
Under sixth-year head coach ' direction, the ǧÃŬAV men's basketball team is coming off its first-ever PBC tournament championship and first NCAA Division II championship appearance after hosting and winning the Southeast Regional.
The Nighthawks open the season Nov. 2-3 at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, Florida. They take on St. Thomas Aquinas at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 before facing reigning national champion Minnesota State at 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Their home opener is at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 against Tusculum.
First-team All-PBC selection and NCAA Southeast Regional Most Outstanding Player lead six returnees from the Nighthawks' rotation on the history-making 2023-24 team. The group also welcomes three freshmen and two transfers. has joined Evans' staff with returning assistant coach .
Burson’s team looks to return to postseason
Women's basketball head coach starts her 31st season seeking a seventh NCAA tournament appearance in eight seasons. Former national Player of the Year has joined Burson's staff alongside returning assistant coach and former teammate .
The Nighthawks tip off their season Nov. 8-9 in the Peach Belt/Conference Carolinas Challenge at home in the Convocation Center, facing Emmanuel at 6 p.m. Nov. 8 and Young Harris at 4 p.m. Nov. 9.
Graduate student guard and graduate student forward , both two-time All-PBC performers, lead the Nighthawks. Martin returns after missing the entire 2023-24 season, and Trushel is back for a second season with ǧÃŬAV after playing her first three seasons at fellow PBC school USC Aiken.
Rifle team has pair of home matches
The ǧÃŬAV rifle team began its season in October and hosts two home matches: Nov. 9 against Wofford and Jan. 26 against Kentucky.
It will compete in the Southern Conference championship Feb. 8-9 at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia.
Junior leads the ǧÃŬAV rifle team, coming off a first-team all-conference season in 2023-24 and a fifth-place national finish in air rifle as a freshman in 2022-23.