| After an inaugural season that produced 10 wins, including three in the very difficult Southern States Athletic Conference, the players and coaches are looking forward to this season as one that will see the Golden Tigers becoming much more competitive. That optimism is fueled by the return of nine players that gained valuable experience last year. Sophomore Paige Cooper, who was named to the SSAC All-Freshman team, was the leading rebounder and third leading scorer last season. Another sophomore, Vicky Wilson, was the leading scorer and primary threat from outside the arc. She returns as a team captain and will be counted on to carry much of the scoring load this year. The other captain is Natasha Anderson, a sophomore, who stepped in halfway through last season to run the point guard position and gained valuable experience along the way. Sophomore post player Sarah Ledford was second in scoring and rebounding as a freshman, and will anchor the team around the basket. Senior Whitney Jones, who joined the team in the second semester last year, will provide another presence in the paint and much needed game experience. Junior Lori Pope, who started off and on last year, is back and will push for one of the starting guard spots. Sophomore Tori Collins also played a lot as a freshman and could end up starting this year. Chessie Archer, a senior, and sophomore Heidi Reagan also return from last year’s team. Five new players have been added to the roster and will give the team much needed depth this year. Sophomore Meg Henson transferred in from SCAD and will give the Tigers another quality guard with experience. Freshman Amanda Parker is expected to play right away and give the team another player that can defend and score around the basket. Alex Wocken, Kaylee Martin and Lydia Ham are all freshmen that will develop and contribute at some point.
Even though last year’s record of 10-20 doesn’t look impressive at first glance, six of the losses were by less than 10 points. With the added experience of the returning players and addition of quality newcomers, it isn’t unrealistic to think that this team could qualify for the conference tournament in only it’s second year of competition. “The players and coaches have worked very hard in the off season and we are all eager to prove that we belong in this conference. “ says Head Coach Gary Bays. “I hope the Brenau community and Hall County area will get behind this team and help us reach our goals.”
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