2006-2007 Women's Basketball Preview

Expectations will be high for the University of the Cumberlands Women’s Basketball team this year as they look ahead towards another championship year and the ultimate prize. After starting out last season ranked #16 and finishing #17 in the nation with a 21-9 overall record, Cumberlands captured the regular season MSC championship, but fell short at the Tourney Championship. Their excellent play and high rankings earned them an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament where they advanced to the second round to face the #1 seed. Cumberlands gave Vanguard all they could handle but at the buzzer the Patriots fell in a six point loss 74-80.

The Patriots lost only one senior, Tenille Cann ( Craigieburn, Australia), from last year. Cann ended her season being named the Mid-South Conference Player of the Year, NAIA Third Team All-American, as well as scoring her 1,000 th career point. “Tenille was one of the best starting two-guards this program has seen and it will be hard to replace her,” stated Head coach Melissa Irvin.

That leaves a crew of talented and key returnees for this season including senior, Jennifer ( Strongsville, OH) Nagy, 2006 MSC All-Conference and NAIA All-American Honorable Mention, who is a 6’3” Center. Nagy is one of the team’s leading scorers from the post position and returns with a great amount of experience this year after having had scored her 1,000 th career point last season. Becky Sumner ( McCreary, KY), a 6’1” senior forward, also returns this year after leading the Mid-South Conference in blocked shots last year. Kirsten Roberson ( Baton Rouge, LA), a 5’9” senior guard, returns as one of the leading defenders on the team. She was all recognized by the MSC in 2006 as an Honorable Mention honoree. Shannon Antunez ( Ventura, CA), a 5’7” senior, returns with vast experience to fill the guard spot with her outstanding perimeter shooting. Lissi Fuller (Mt Vernon, OH), a 5’5” junior point guard, will lead the team as the floor general once again this year with her agility and great fundamentals. Fuller’s skills were noted last season by the MSC as she was named to the All-Conference squad. Sophomores Hannah Jefferson ( Brooksville, KY) and Madison Flowers ( Somerset, KY) will vie for more playing time this season as they were able to prove themselves last year. Jefferson offers a quick threat to defenders and Flowers has great perimeter shooting abilities.

Suiting up in a Patriot uniform for the first time will be transfers Colia Mayo ( Stockton, CA), Deitra Jefferson ( Venice, IL), and Shavonne Booth ( Chicago, IL). Mayo is a 5’10” senior playing forward who red shirted after transferring from North Carolina Central University. Deitra Jefferson, a 5’7” junior guard, was also a red shirt last year and transferred from Christopher Newport University. Both Mayo and Jefferson add tremendous speed to the Patriots and are expected to step right into the Patriots line-up and contribute much playing time. The third transfer is Shavonne Booth, a 6’3” junior playing center from Chattanooga State Community College. Head Coach Melissa Irvin said, “Shavonne comes with a successful tenure and is outstanding at the post position.”

Adding to the roster are three true freshmen. From neighboring London, KY and South Laurel High comes Freshman Amber Neace, a 6’0” guard. Neace gives a threat to both the perimeter and under the basket as she is able to shoot the three and post up strongly. Brittanie Ware ( Radcliff, KY), a 5’6” point guard graduated from North Hardin High in Radcliff, KY. Ware is expected to be a great addition to the Patriots running game this year, offering her great quickness and endurance. The third and final recruit for the Patriots this season is Lauren Martin ( Detroit, MI). Martin attended Pershing High. Although said to have skills that even she hasn’t realized yet, Coach Irvin says that Martin is, “The Patriots best recruit yet.”

In order to deal with the very competitive nature of the Mid-South Conference, the Patriots have added a number of new teams to their schedule to help prepare. These teams include Trevecca Nazarene University, Emmanuel College, North Georgia University, Shawnee State University and The College of the Ozarks.

After finishing with their seventh 20 win season in the last eight years, winning their third straight MSC Championship, and making a trip to the NAIA Sweet 16, the Patriots ladies have a lot of expectations to live up to but they still expect more.

Coach Irvin remarks, “I’m very excited. This is the best recruiting class ever and the largest number of returners. It will take time before the incoming players connect with the returees, but it will happen. Team chemistry, depth and our overall talent will be the key factors in returning to the National Tournaments this season.”

The competitions will be tough and the spectators are guaranteed a great showing with every game as women’s basketball at Cumberlands has advanced to the next level. Conference Championships, National Tournament appearances are expected, but a National Championship is what the 2006-2007 Patriot ladies are after. The road is rugged, but persistence backed with great expectations should propel the Patriots to excel.

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