The goal for the 2002-03 Memphis Lady Tigers basketball team is restoring head coach Joye Lee-McNelis’ winning tradition.
The Lady Tigers feel they have the pieces to rebound from an 11-17 season. The team is comprised of five newcomers, nine returning players and two senior leaders: Shannon Hamp and Kalara McFadyen.
McFadyen and Hamp have been evaluating the team’s growth throughout practices.
Hamp said she has noticed a change in some of the players’ attitudes from last year.
The 6-2 center said the reason Memphis slumped last year was because the four freshmen on the team had experienced a hard time adjusting to college basketball.
She said now sophomores Aesha Carter, Victoria Crawford, Raven Rogers and Jennifer Sullivan have developed a better work ethic.
“The freshmen we had last year all came from good teams,” Hamp said. “They were used to being good without having to work and they were just better than everybody else.
“When they got to college, they realized everybody is better or just as good as they are. Now they know what it takes to win and play better.”
McFadyen said this year’s freshmen are going to the upperclassmen to get acquainted with the Lady Tiger system.
As the established point guard, McFadyen has taken freshmen Tamika Butler under her wing.
McFayden said she is impressed with the 5-6 guard’s natural abilities and how well Butler is picking up plays.
“I think she is a great athlete,” McFadyen said. “I’m trying to help guide her and teach her how to run the offense — when to slow it down and when to pick the pace up.”
Butler was an all around athlete at Lee Senior High School in Marianna, Ark.
She was a four-year letter winner in volleyball and basketball.
McFayden said she sees great potential in the other four recruits: Charity Egenti, Latrice Booker and junior transfers Jordie Soso and Stephanie Stoglin.
“All the new players are looking good in practice so far,” McFadyen said. “We have an excellent group this year.”
McFadyen said fellow senior Rita Beckwith and juniors Kaneshi Hart and Princess Swilley have to assist her and Hamp by example in showing the newcomers how to fit into the system.
“I think we got to take care of our own business,” McFadyen said. “We have to work on our own. Even if that means ball handling and shooting extra shots, because actions speak louder than words.”
The 5-6 native of Auckland, New Zealand, and the first Lady Tiger to record a triple double said the entire team must work hard to prevent a duplication of last season.
“We have to do the extra things to avoid another year like last year,” McFadyen said.
Hamp agreed that another season under .500 would be tough for the whole squad.
“Nobody wants to have a season like last year,” Hamp said. “We want to do better that what we did last year. No body wants to lose like that again.”
