Another strong turnout led to another round of invitations at the most recent Augusta Groove tryout.

At least 30 players participated in the professional basketball team's workout last weekend. Only a handful were among the 40 who competed at the Groove's previous tryout in July.

Groove co-owners Gary Perry and Rick Brown were on hand to scout the talent. The two Atlanta businessmen originally planned to have 10-12 players on the team's roster when the 2009 season starts in January.

"We may have to keep 15 now," Perry said. "There's too much talent here in Augusta. I didn't expect this, but it's a good problem to have."

The two coaches, who had already extended at least 13 of 25 invitations to their December training camp, said the focus of Friday's tryout was to find guards who could serve as floor generals to fill out the rest of the roster.

"I had a few guards that I knew could play, but now I have at least four or five," Brown said. "We obviously have some untapped talent here."

The highlight of the tryouts came mostly from out-of-town contenders.

Lansen Leach, from High Point, N.C., impressed both Perry and Brown in the numerous scrimmages and earned an invitation to training camp.

The speedy guard has been to Augusta recently but as an opponent playing for Elizabeth City State University. In 2007, the Vikings fell to Augusta State in the first round of the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional.

Leach said since he finished his senior year this spring, he's had offers to play professionally overseas.

"I really want to stay in the states," he said. "I live in Charlotte, and I heard about the (Premier Basketball League) adding a team down here. I'm just keeping my options open."

The same can be said for Columbia native Derrick McMichael, a 6-foot-3 guard who impressed the Groove owners with his range and leaping ability. He also picked up a invitation to training camp.

The local talent was led by Ricky McGhee, a guard who helped Butler High School win a state championship in 2004.

Perry said he didn't plan to hold another local tryout, but the high turnout might have changed his mind.

"We weren't going to do this, but by popular demand we might have to do one last tryout here in Augusta," he said.