By Jonathan Caudle, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tech women's basketball came together on Wednesday for their first official day of practice of the 2019-20 season, focused and ready to get to work with only 41 days before their season opener on Nov. 5.
"I liked the energy, effort and coachability that our players brought to the court. We got better today, and I saw a lot of growth," expressed head coach Kim Rosamond. "We have a long way to go and a lot of work to do, but that is expected on the first day. Overall, I thought it was good and a positive step in our process."
The Golden Eagles are fresh off the program's best season since 2010-11, accumulating 22 overall victories, finishing 12-6 in Ohio Valley Conference play, and the program's first postseason bid since the 2011-12 season.
The Golden Eagles return a handful of impact players from last year, which are led by seniors Akia Harris and Anacia Wilkinson. Harris is coming off a junior season in which she played in 31 contests for the Golden Eagles, averaging nine points, a team-leading 4.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. She netted a career-high 27 points, which included another career-high of six 3-pointers against Eastern Illinois. Wilkinson was a dominant force in the post last season for the Golden Eagles as she finished eighth in the NCAA, first in the Ohio Valley Conference, and set a new program-record with 92 blocked shots, while her 2.8 blocks per game average ranked her 10th in the NCAA in 2018-19. She also tied for a team-high 6.2 rebounds per game last year.
"This year is the first time since our staff arrived that we have seniors who have been in our system four years," said coach Rosamond. "Their understanding of our culture and our standard, as well as their example on and off the court, has been tremendous. When you factor in their experience last season, Akia and Naci are playing with a different level of confidence this year. That is not only what you expect from your seniors, but what you need."
Other key returners for Tech include juniors Jordan Brock, Kesha Brady, Mackenzie Coleman, Megan Clark, and Abby Buckner, and sophomores Taylor Lamb and Hannah Garrett. Brock is the team's leading scorer from the 2018-19 campaign after averaging 11.5 points per contest last season. The Kentucky native also added 1.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.7 steals per contest last season. Brady was another key contributor for the Golden Eagles during last year's season, finishing with the team's second-best scoring output at 10.2 points per game, while also adding 3.5 rebounds, one assist, and one steal per game. She also ranked 35th in the NCAA in free throw percentage, shooting 85.3 percent from the line last season. Coleman opened the season in December last year and netted 6.6 points per game over 29 contests, including a season-high 26 against UT Martin, while also pulling down 3.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Buckner was another huge contributor for the Golden Eagles as a freshman, notching 6.3 points and pulling down 4.7 boards per game in 2018-19.
"Up until this season, we have had a very young program and have been actively working to lay a strong foundation. To return seven upperclassmen is a strength of our team," expressed coach Rosamond. "Jordan, Mackenzie, Kesha, Abby, and Meg have worked very hard in the off-season trying to improve their game. I think they are hungry and excited, and I am really looking forward to seeing their growth entering their junior seasons."
A talented group of newcomers that includes sophomores Grace Pelphrey and Windee Johnson, in addition to freshmen Jada Guinn, Maaliya Owens, DJ McFarlane, and Mackenzie Keelin has the program excited about the future and how the underclassmen can learn from the senior leadership to help contribute and elevate the program this season.
"The newcomers have really blended well off the court. They are following our seniors' leadership and example, and are working hard every day," said coach Rosamond.
Tennessee Tech opens its season with a pair of home contests on November 5 at 6 p.m. against Cumberland (Tenn.) and Nov. 12 against University of Louisiana Monroe at 5:30 p.m. The Golden Eagles have an exciting non-conference schedule that's highlighted by a trip to Las Vegas for the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout with a pair of contests against Northern Illinois, who finished last season with 19 wins, and Detroit Mercy, along with in-state matchups against SEC-foe Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee, who finished with a 23-11 record in 2018-19.
Season tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale now. Call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or visit TTUSports.com for details. For all news and updates on Tennessee Tech Women's Basketball, follow the program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Photo by Jonathan Caudle
