By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—As the season draws closer and closer, the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team has continued to prepare for their 2016-17 season. The Golden Eagles opened official practice on Sunday afternoon, and things are looking bright for this year's Tech team.
"I'm really pleased with how the first two days of practice have gone," head coach Kim Rosamond remarked. "Our energy, effort, and focus were really high. We have been working a lot in the last month and a half to prepare ourselves offensively, and so far our communication, teamwork, and discipline has been all there. This is a really hungry group of young women. I think they are really excited about the possibilities of what the future holds and they are extremely committed to getting this program back to championship level."
The Purple and Gold squad welcomes two new faces to this year's roster: freshmen Akia Harris and Makenzie Iles.
"Our two freshmen, Makenzie Iles and Akia Harris have come in and added to the chemistry of our basketball team," Rosamond continued. "Both are extremely hard workers and smart basketball players. I'm really excited about their potential and how they can help us this year on the floor."
Harris, a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., joins this year's lineup after a solid prep career. Harris played her senior year at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, after previously attending the Girls Preparatory School for her eighth grade to junior seasons. Throughout her high school career, Harris averaged 19 points and four assists per game and ended her career tallying 1,075 points.
Iles hails from Crossville, Tenn., and comes to Tennessee Tech after a four-year career at Cumberland High School. There, Iles primarily played as a guard and finished her career with 2,008 points, averaging 18.1 points per game. Iles won the 2016 mid-state Cumberland Athlete of the Year award and was also selected to the 2016 BCA/TACA Tennessee All-Star game.
Photos by Thomas Corhern
