New era begins with BRCC’s 1st basketball season

• By CHRIS CHAPPLE
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Nov 2, 2009

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The wait is over for Baton Rouge Community College.

BRCC plays its first games in men’s and women’s basketball this week.

BRCC travels to Summit, Miss., for games today and Tuesday in the Southwest Mississippi Community College/Coca-Cola Classic.

The BRCC women test Copiah-Lincoln at 1 p.m. today and Southwest at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The men play Copiah-Lincoln at 3 p.m. today and Southwest at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Established in 1998, BRCC has gradually expanded academic programs and athletics with the growing student population.

Thursday, the first home basketball games will be held in the 3,385-seat Bonne Santé Wellness Center. The women face Pearl River, Miss., at 5:15 p.m., and the men play at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $100 for a season book for all games, or $5 for adults and $3 for students individually.

BRCC Athletic Director Michael Landers is the women’s basketball coach. Todd Foster, who guided Christian Life to three straight Class 1A state boys titles from 2006-08, is the men’s coach. Both rosters are filled with local-area players.

“I’m excited about getting started,” Foster said. “Wherever I go in the community, people are saying they’re going to be here for our first home game. Baton Rouge is a college town, and we thrive on college athletics. The one athletic arena we haven’t had is a junior college. I think there’s a place for us.

“We look forward to a tremendous crowd. I think we’ll put the type of team on the floor that this community will want to watch.”

“We’re not sure what the attendance will be for our home opener,” said Landers, who has a 340-52 career record that includes the past nine seasons at Trinity Valley Community College in Texas. “There’s a lot of excitement on campus. We’re hoping with as many local players on our rosters, that people who were fans of these kids in high school will step over and watch them play. We think we’re going to put a good product on the floor. We think it’s going to be the start of something special.”

Ryan Layssard, a 5-foot-9 freshman from Opelousas, will start at point guard for the Bears, and Josh Upchurch (6-9, 270 pounds), a sophomore from Vidalia, will play center. Guards Paul Hilliard, Arsenio Francis and Rarlensee Nelson will all see action, as will 6-6 freshmen forwards Jacobey Ross and William Nelson.

“Josh Upchurch is a skilled post,” Foster said. “Ryan Layssard has got a chance to be really good. Jacobey Ross is a high energy guy who is a great defensive player and rebounder. All of our guards defend very well. We’re not as tall as some teams we’ll face, but we’re physically strong.”

Foster said he’ll be watching this week for the level of his team’s physical and mental toughness.