By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team continues to make strides towards the 2016-17 season opener, as they hosted an open practice on Tuesday evening before their annual "Meet the Golden Eagles" potluck dinner.
The Tech team focused on developing championship habits, tempo and toughness at the evening's practice; running multiple drills that worked on developing their skills both offensive and defensivley.
"I really like what I'm seeing," head coach Kim Rosamond said. "They are a hungry group and I know that they are excited to get back to that gold standard that is set at Tennessee Tech."
The Purple and Gold squad loses four players heading into the upcoming season, but welcomes two true freshmen to the lineup.
With a few key players missing from last year's roster, the Golden Eagles will turn to junior Yaktavia "Shug" Hickson and seniors Hannah Goolsby, Alliyah Smith, and Lindsey Jennings to lead the way.
Goolsby returns to Tech as the leading scorer averaging 8.6 points per game in the 2015-16 season. Goolsby shot 32.7 percent from the field, 32 percent from beyond the arc, and 72.7 percent from the line. She also led the Tech in assists (61) last season.
Hickson will rejoin the Golden Eagles as the second leading scorer, averaging 8.1 points per game. Hickson led Tech from the charity stripe last season, connecting on 42-of-49 to shoot 85.7 percent. She also shot 38.9 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from the three-point range to serve as a solid leader on the floor.
Smith will return to fuel Tech's power in the paint. Smith finished the 2015-16 year with 177 rebounds (most on the team) and 16 blocks, while shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 63.2 percent from the line.
Jennings will be another key player on the Golden Eagle squad this season. Jennings closed out last season averaging 4.4 points per game, while shooting 39.1 percent from the field and 80 percent from the charity stripe.
The Golden Eagles will host North Alabama on Nov. 7 for an exhibition game beginning at 6 p.m. Tech will then tip off the 2016-17 season with a game versus Wright State on Nov. 11 slated at 6 p.m. in the Hooper Eblen Center.
For season ticket information, stop by the Tennessee Tech Athletics Ticket Office in the Eblen Center or call 931-372-3940. Tickets are also on sale online at TTUsports.com.
You can also follow the Golden Eagles online on the TTU Sports and Tennessee Tech Women's Basketball Facebook pages or on Twitter at @TTUGoldenEagles and @TTUWBB.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
