Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Ten Days of A-Sun Basketball reaches the ETSU Buccaneers. After coming off an impressive inaugural season in the A-Sun Conference with a record of 18-10 (14-6), the Lady Bucs are looking to post back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons. The 18 wins by ETSU marked the third-highest total in school history and were the second-most in Head Coach Karen Kemp's 12-year tenure.

Coach Karen Kemp on the Bucs

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SEASON PREVIEW - (Courtesy ETSU Media Relations)

The Lady Bucs are returning two seniors and five juniors, including the conference's Defensive Player of the Year, Nichelle Akers. However, a new season brings new faces as coach Kemp brought in five freshmen and revamped her entire coaching staff. New to the staff are Eric White, Matt Smith and former ETSU standout DeShawne Blocker.

"After only a short time together as a staff, I can already see the chemistry and know that we will compliment each other well," Kemp said.

Despite losing their top scorers in B.J. Banjo (19.1ppg) and Candace Gibson (12.3ppg) to graduation, the Lady Bucs are returning starters Jenny Norman (6.1ppg), Nichelle Akers (5.5ppg) and Brooke Wilhoit (5.3ppg). The leading returning scorer for ETSU is junior Michele DeVault (10.5ppg), who can expect see significant minutes in 2006-07.

During their final season, Brooke Wilhoit and Holly Moring will need to provide the leadership on and off the court for the Lady Bucs. The guards will be asked to help keep the team focused and act like coaches as the team prepares to make a run at the Atlantic Sun Championship.

"We are going to look for the seniors to provide the leadership for the rest of the team," said Kemp. "Our freshmen need Brooke and Holly to show them direction both on and off the court."

Since stepping on campus in 2003, Wilhoit has made a name for her early on as she was named to the All-Southern Conference Freshman Team, and been one of the most consistent players for the Lady Bucs. In her three seasons, she has played in all 85 games for the Lady Bucs and has averaged 27.9 minutes per game. Wilhoit causes a lot of problems for opposing defenses as she can shoot the three, as well as create plays by finding the open player and create assists. She is not afraid to attack the glass as she grabbed 105 rebounds last season, tying her with Jenny Norman as the leading returnees. Last season she led the Bucs in assists (99), ranked second in minutes played (28.6) and ranked third in steals (44) and three-point field goals made (20).

"Brooke is a natural leader and is an extension as a coach when she is on the floor," added Kemp. "She gives 100% effort all the time and I hope the hard work ethic will rub off on the entire team."

Read the full season preview

10 Days of A-Sun Basketball Schedule
Oct. 16 - Belmont
Oct. 17 - Campbell
Oct. 18 - ETSU
Oct. 19 - Gardner-Webb
Oct. 20 - Jacksonville
Oct. 23 - Kennesaw State
Oct. 24 - Lipscomb
Oct. 25 - Mercer
Oct. 26 - UNF
Oct. 27 - Stetson