CYANMAGYELBLK TennesseanBroadsheet Master TennesseanBroadsheet Master 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 5 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 5 TennesseanBroadsheet Master TennesseanBroadsheet Master 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 6X 6X Wednesday, November 9, 2005 THE TENNESSEAN www.tennessean.com COLLEGEBASKETBALLPREVIEWAREA WOMEN By MAURICE PATTON StaffWriter She calls herself tin but question Karli heart. The Lipscomb senior guard has played and been a key reserve in the role of perimeter defensive stopper the past three years with a debilitating physical condition: ankylosing spondyli- tis a chronic inflammatory disorder that involves pain and inflammation primarily of the spine and sacroiliac joints (the area where the spine meets the pelvis). Ankylosing spondylitis affects about 1 in 200 adults, typically beginning between ages 15 and 30. Symptoms include lower back pain that is worse after sleep or inactivity, pain and stiffness in the hips, neck pain, fatigue and inflammation of the eyes. was diagnosed my freshman Osborn said.
was just getting here, just getting used to college and college basketball, and it hit me about January. At first I know what it was; I went to a lot of doctors. I talked to my brother, telling him my symptoms I hurt in my hips, my sternum, my shoulder blades; feel great one day, and the next day, feel like I move. He told me, might have the same thing I older brother, Cade, had previously been diagnosed with the same arthritic condition. Yet he played college basketball, first at Utah State before finishing at Mesa (Colo.) State.
an ongoing battle for Osborn, affecting every aspect of her life. think slept all the way through the she said. are not the best time for me, but somehow I just manage. There have been times in the middle of games where felt like I was turning into tin I get tight; move. pull me out, let me get stretched out, loosened up, and ready to Lipscomb has made some concessions for the Utah native about conditioning, practicing and playing time.
like a checking account: you can spend it in a game or all in Coach Frank Bennett said. try to leave some for the Though most of what Osborn does show up in a box score, she knows her importance to the team and the importance to her. really got me through this was a lot of support from my teammates, my coaches, my family and she said. a blessing. I get really Even sleeping hurting Osborn But let arthritic condition slow her down TSU LADY TIGERS Coach: Tracee Jones, 11-17 in one season at TSU, 11-17 lifetime Last season: 11-17, 8-8 in OVC.
(Lost quarterfinals, OVC Tournament). Probable starting lineup: Kendra Appling 5-7 27.0 ppg (HS) Tiffany Jackson, 6-0 16.0 ppg (HS) Obiageli Okafor, 5-9 18.2 ppg (HS) Leslie Dean, 5-9 10.8 ppg. LaRaea Starr, 6-2 1.9 ppg. Key newcomer: Obiageli Okafor. Great pedigree: Two older sisters also played college basketball, including one at Stanford.
Key loss: Kendra Bailey. Led team in scoring and rebounding while earning second-team All-OVC honors. Season expectations: This is a freshman-dominated team a notch above last squad in terms of overall talent. Another OVC record a distinct possibility. Bet you know: Coach Jones was the epitome of a student-athlete during her playing days at TSU.
She not only led team in assists twice but also was a List student and member of the TSU Honors Program. MTSU BLUE RAIDERS Coach: Rick Insell, first year at MTSU, first year as Division I coach. Last season: 24-9, 11-3 in Sun Belt Conference. (Lost in second round, NCAA Tournament). Probable starting lineup: Monique Martin, 5-11 34.0 ppg (HS).
Tia Stovall, 6-1 13.2 ppg. Chrissy Givens, 5-10 8.0 ppg. Krystle Horton, 6-2 11.3 ppg. Lakira Boyd, 6-2 3.6 ppg. Key newcomer: Johnna Abney.
A 5-4 point guard with a great outside shooting touch. Key loss: Patrice Holmes, a great clutch player, who led MTSU in scoring at 15.5 ppg. Season expectations: If the returning starters buy into up-tempo offense and pressure defense, it could mean a third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. Bet you know: In 1934 the late Charles Sarver, then an MTSU football player, won a $5 prize after submitting in a contest sponsored by the Daily News Journal to name the athletic teams. BELMONT LADY BRUINS Coach: Tony Cross, 433-185 in 20 years at Belmont, 433-185 lifetime Last season: 17-11, 12-8 in Atlantic Sun.
(Lost first round, ASC Tournament). Probable starting lineup: Tonisha Jones, 5-6 6.3 ppg. Alysha Clark, 5-10 24.6 ppg (HS) Jenny Conkle, 5-9 12.9 ppg. Brooke Sunday, 6-1 8.9 ppg. Jessica Bobbitt, 6-2 13.0 ppg (HS) Key newcomer: Alysha Clark.
Class AAA Miss Basketball winner led Mt. Juliet to state championship. Key loss: Hollie Davis led the Bruins with a 15.1 ppg average. Season expectations: If Conkle stays as sizzling hot from 3-point range as she was last year when she led the nation with 87 3-pointers, Belmont could overcome the loss of Davis and Brandi Miller. Bet you know: older brother Corey was a contestant on the television show American Idol LIPSCOMB LADY BISONS Coach: Frank Bennett, 533-281 in 25 years at Lipscomb, 533-281 lifetime Last season: 13-15, 10-10 in Atlantic Sun.
(Lost in first round, ASC tourney). Probable starting lineup: Catie Woods, 5-7 2.7 apg. Dana Carrigan, 5-7 32.8% 3-pts. Keirstin Head, 5-11 16 games. Penny Jones, 6-1 5.4 rpg.
Katie Beth Pate, 6-5 85 blks. Key newcomer: Miriam McAlister. player, a graduate of Lipscomb High, already a proven defender and rebounder in practice. Key loss: Courtney Boynton, 5-9, led the Lady Bisons in minutes played (32 pg), points (14 ppg), assists (86), steals (82) and free throw percentage (86.8%). Season expectations: With Boynton gone Lipscomb will lean more heavily on its inside game and expects more points from Pate.
Bet you know: Coach Bennett is the author of a book: The Illustrated Rules of Basketball MEMPHIS LADY TIGERS Coach: Blair Savage- Lansden, 13-16 in one season at Memphis, 13-16 lifetime Last season: 13-16, 5-9 in CUSA. (Lost quarterfinals, CUSA Tournament). Probable starting lineup: Tamika Butler, 5-5 87 3-pointers. Ashley Howard, 5-8 16.2 ppg. (JUCO).
Paris Leonard, 5-8 20.9 ppg. (HS). Megan Gooch, 6-3 3.2 rpg. Sherika Montgomery, 6-2 season- high 28 pts. (HS).
Key newcomer: Sherika Montgomery. A freshman who played on the Mississippi All-Star team vs. Alabama All- Stars. Key loss: Jessica Hall, a freshman who was the returning MVP, but was lost to an Achilles tendon injury. Season expectations: After graduating five key players the Lady Tigers are in a rebuilding mode.
AUSTIN PEAY LADY GOVS Coach: Andy Blackston, 31-27 two years at Austin Peay, 62-49 lifetime Last season: 8-19, 4-12 in OVC. (Finished ninth in OVC). Probable starting lineup: Ashlee McGee, 5-6 1.2 ppg. Saundra Hale, 5-7 15.2 ppg (JUCO). Tiffany Benford, 5-9 transfer.
Ashley Haynes, 5-10 11.7 ppg. Kellea Reeves, 6-2 4.0 ppg. Key newcomer: Saundra Hale. Well- rounded JUCO transfer who averaged 15.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 5.2 apg last season. Key loss: Guard Kera Bergeron, a great 3-point threat, transferred to Freed-Hardeman.
Season expectations: This could be a tough season for the Lady Govs, with only two starters back and a number of transfers that could require some TLC in terms of team chemistry. Bet you know: There will be a new towering presence on the bench this season. Former WNBA player Quacy Barnes is an assistant coach. Barnes is 6-5, three inches taller than the tallest starter. TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLETTES Coach: Bill Worrell, 385180 in 19 years at Tech, 385-180 lifetime Last season: 21-8, 13-3 in OVC (Lost semifinals, OVC tourney).
Probable starting lineup: Arleigh Brackin, 5-6 redshirt. Jana Reece, 5-6 3.7 ppg. Kendall Cavin, 5-10 12.9 ppg. Marissa Hensley, 5-11 7.3 ppg. Emily Christian, 6-1 19.5 ppg.
Key newcomer: Cara Reed. A transfer from Davidson, the 6-0 sophom*ore averaged 11.7 ppg in seven games as a freshman. Key loss: Tynisha Alexander. Point guard and team captain averaged 9.0 ppg and 5.3 rpg. Season expectations: Tech welcomes back three starters, including Emily Christian, the top scorer in 2004-05.
If they can maintain their impeccable shooting eye from both the field and the foul line, the Eaglettes could be returning to the NCAAs. Bet you know: Worrell has guided the Golden Eaglettes to eight NCAA Tournaments, which ranks the most of any OVC coach, past or present. WESTERN KENTUCKY LADY TOPPERS Coach: Mary Taylor Cowles, 62-33 in three seasons at Western Kentucky, 62-33 lifetime Last season: 20-10, 12-2 in Sun Belt. (Lost first round, WNIT). Probable starting lineup: Ashley Butler, 5-5 43.6% FG.
Tifany Zaragoza, 5-6 102 asts. Tiffany Porter-Talbert, 5-9 17.9 ppg. Crystal Kelly, 6-3 19.3 ppg. Krystal Gardner, 6-1 47.7% FG. Key newcomers: Transfers Cammie Campbell (Evansville), a 5-7 guard, and Sarah Shouse (Marquette), a 6-5 center.
Key losses: Leslie Logsdon (1,854 career points) and Camrun Whitaker (486 assists). Season expectations: The Lady Toppers have two of their top three scorers back (Porter-Talbert and Kelly) on a team deep in experience. That bodes well for a possible fourth consecutive Sun Belt East title. Bet you know: If the Lady Toppers win at least 20 games this season, it will mark only the second time in school history that Western has won at least 20 in four consecutive seasons. SEWANEE LADY TIGERS Coach: Dickie McCarthy, 31-21 in two years at Sewanee, 31-21 lifetime Last season: 19-7, 10-4 in SCAC.
(Lost in semifinals, SCAC Tournament). Probable starting lineup: Rachel Miller, 5-8 First team, all-state (HS). Dani Pettay, 5-7 13.8 ppg. Vanessa Gamble 6-0 62 career Jamie McConnell, 6-0 4.9 rpg. Sally Jackson, 6-1 11.2 ppg.
Key newcomer: Rachel Miller. Has big shoes to fill in taking over at point guard, but surrounded by veterans. Key loss: Ashleigh Whitworth. Four- year starter was a terrific playmaker. CUMBERLAND LADY BULLDOGS Coach: Clint Mason, 36-31 in two years at Cumberland, 36-31 lifetime Last season: 25-10, 7-5 in TSC.
(Lost in NAIA Sweet 16). Probable starting lineup: Natasha Manis, 5-10 9.3 rpg. Ashley Cross, 5-5 4.5 apg. Juliana Fernandes, 5-11 transfer. Renae Williams, 5-11 13.3 ppg.
Tomika Hall, 6-3 5. 8 rpg. Key newcomer: Guard Juliana Fernandes. A taller guard with JUCO experience who provides instant leadership. Key loss: Forward Vita Venskunaite.
MARTIN METHODIST REDHAWKS Coach: Nikki Sullivan- Ficca, 6-27 in one year at MM. 6-27 lifetime Last season: 6-27, 0-12 in TSC. (Lost first round, TSC tourney). Probable starting lineup: Ashley Nichols, 5-7 transfer. Shannon Morton, 5-9 transfer.
Shawra Ricks, 5-6 44 steals. Jessica Ezell, 5-10 14 ppg. Latoya Torian, 6-0 DNP. Key newcomers: Of four key transfers coming in, Nichols and Morton have already won starting spots. Key loss: Guard Jennifer Moss averaged 11.7 ppg and had 57 assists and 39 steals.
Back as a graduate assistant, though. TREVECCA LADY TROJANS Coach: Gary Van Atta, first year at Trevecca, 271-171 lifetime Last season: 22-10, 9-3 in TSC. (Lost in Elite 8, NAIA). Probable starting lineup: Kristin Scoggins-Bledsoe, 5-5 9.6 ppg. Kristin Archie, 5-7 transfer.
Ashlie Gilland, 5-10 14.9 ppg. Jana Reed, 6-0 13.2 ppg. Jackie Weaver, 6-5 15.2 ppg. Key newcomer: Mariska Reed. A transfer from Harding University, Reed made the All-TranSouth Freshman Team.
Key loss: Julie Machalela. The 5-9 guard averaged 8.2 ppg. and 4.0 rpg. Key: ASC Atlantic Sun Conference CUSA Conference USA. GSAC Great South Atlantic Conference SCAC Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference TSC TranSouth Conference ALAN POIZNER Karli Osborn has been a key player off the bench for Lipscomb, despite suffering from a condition that causes pain in her spine.
LIPSCOMB By MIKE ORGAN StaffWriter MURFREESBORO The fears were unfounded. The ground did not open and swallow up the town of Shelbyville in one big gulp after legendary girls basketball coach Rick Insell moved away last spring. It was a legitimate concern considering the indelible mark Insell left, not only on the Golden Eaglette program, but on the town as a whole. It had been his home the last 28 years. Now in Murfreesboro, embarking on a new career chapter as coach of the Middle Tennessee State Lady Raiders.
At age 54, the first-year head college basketball coach is starting over. had been called over the years, probably hundreds of times, for head- coaching positions and assistant-coaching positions in Insell said. I think this was my last chance to make a move? I really never gave any thought to that. But as far as all those jobs I had been offered before, there were only two jobs that I really ever wanted or applied for. One was Vanderbilt in 1992 and then this Being an MTSU graduate, Insell, watching from afar, admired the job his predecessor Stephany Smith did the last eight seasons.
Smith took MTSU to the NCAA Tournament three times, making it to the second round each of the past two seasons. Still, Insell believes MTSU can reach even greater heights, but on his terms best described as demanding, aggressive and hardnosed. question about my coaching style was posed to me during the interview Insell said. said, you going to bring your same style of coaching to Middle Tennessee that you had at My response was, come to Middle Tennessee and be somebody else. got to come and be Rick Hearing Insell was on his way was not exactly welcome news for returning players.
They had been told horror stories about his drill sergeant techniques. first I was nervous and a lot of the other girls on the team were, said senior Tia Stovall, who played high school basketball at Franklin County, one of archrivals. once he got here and we started practicing under him, we saw what a benefit it was going to be to have him as our coach. already shown me so many positive aspects about my game and to the other players, too, that has made us want to go 110 percent for Mike Organ is a staff writer for The Tennessean He can be reached at 259-8021 or ean.com. Insell hopes success carries over at MTSU MTSU INSELL CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS SEC March 2-5, N.
Little Rock, Ark. OVC Feb 28 (Campus sites of top four seeds); March 3-4, Nashville. Sun Belt March 2-7, Murfreesboro. Atlantic Sun March 9-11, Dothan, Ala. Conference USA March 2-5, Dallas.
TranSouth Feb. 28-March 6, all games at higher seed. GSAC Feb. 23-25, Montgomery, Ala. SCAC Feb.
24-26, Memphis. TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE NCAA TOURNAMENT March 18 and 20 First and second rounds (Nashville, Chicago; Denver, Tucson, Ariz.) March 19 and 21 First and second rounds (Norfolk, Trenton, N.J.; State College, West Lafayette, Ind.) March 25 and 27 Regionals (Albuquerque, N.M. and San Antonio) March 26 and 28 Regionals (Bridgeport, and Cleveland) April 2 and 4 Final Four, Boston. NAIA TOURNAMENT March 15-21 Jackson, Tenn. FILE Tia Stovall, right..
