Auburn player tears ACL

AUBURN — Auburn women’s basketball’s Reneisha Hobbs blew out her ACL during practice Sunday and will likely miss the entire 2009-10 season, coach Nell Fortner said Tuesday.

Hobbs, the younger sister of graduated starter Sherell Hobbs, is the second projected starter to go down with a major injury during the preseason. Sophomore point guard Morgan Jennings tore her ACL during a summer workout and will miss at least the first part of the season.

“It was a pretty devastating blow to our team,” Fortner said. “You can look at it one of two ways. You can be mad and upset about it, but what it does is it gives some opportunities for some others to step up and play.”

Hobbs, a junior who injured the knee going up for a routine lay-up, was expected to start at the three position. Serving primarily as a defensive option off the bench last season, Hobbs averaged 2.7 points and 1.7 rebounds in 33 games.

Fortner said she has two options to fill Hobbs’ position, one of which has never played in a college setting. Freshman Blanche Alverson of Andalusia and sophomore Parrisha Simmons are both capable of filling the void, she said.

Fortner is already expecting freshman Morgan Toles, the team’s most highly touted recruit, to fill the void left by Jennings. Junior Alli Smalley is expected to be Toles’ backup.

“I expect her to be as solid of a point guard as she can be, to not turn the ball over and to run her team,” Fortner said. “I’m pleased with her progress so far, but she still has a long way to go and we still have to go.”

Auburn hosts Georgia College & State University for an exhibition game Nov. 8 before opening the season against Troy on Nov. 13 at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum.