Entering the 2002-03 season, three University of Memphis Lady Tigers knew this campaign would be their last in a Memphis uniform.
As the season dwindles to an end, seniors Shannon Hamp, Rita Beckwith and Kalara McFadyen are joined by junior Kaneshi Hart in the farewell tour as a Lady Tiger.
The matchups versus the Cincinnati Lady Bearcats in the Elma Roane Fieldhouse and the Louisville Lady Cardinals in The Pyramid will mark the last home games for the trio of seniors and Hart.
Hart said due to knee problems that have plagued her career as a Lady Tiger, she will forgo her senior season.
“I’m not going to return to the team next year,” Hart said. “I have decided not to return to the team next year because of my knees. I have a condition called chondromalacia, where my cartilage is deteriorating in my knees.
“My trainers, the doctors and the staff have helped me for the past three years. I have been battling it since my freshman year. I just decided this year, I given what I can to the program as for physically. I feel like I need to save my body - for the rest of my life to enjoy it.”
The 6-1 junior center said she has received enjoyment from playing the Elma Roane Fieldhouse also known as The Jungle.
Hart said it will be difficult closing the curtains on her career in the Fieldhouse.
“It’s going to be hard,” Hart said. “I already thought about it. I love the Fieldhouse. I’m definitely going to miss the atmosphere, the fans and the closeness. You could just look right up in the stands, 20 feet from you where your friends, the fans and the boosters cheering for you just right off the court. I’m definitely going to miss The Jungle.”
Entering the season, the Russellville, Ky. native, only played in 38 games in two years. This season Hart has managed to appear in 25 games, scoring 83 points while grabbing 71 rebounds.
Another inside force for the Lady Tigers is Hamp, the team leader in scoring with 413 points and rebounds with 1338 this year.
The Monroe, La. native almost went home to become the 15th Lady Tiger to score more than 1,000 points in her career after pouring in 22 points on the road against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Hamp said the accomplishment will stay with her forever.
“When I scored my 1,000th point, that is something,” Hamp said. “To be in the record book, that is something nobody can take away from me.”
The 6-2 center has maintained her solid performance every year as a Lady Tiger. Hamp has shot over 50 percent from the field in her first three seasons and currently is shooting 56 percent.
Hamp has also crashed the boards to snatch 547 rebounds in her Memphis career.
Just over a year ago on Feb. 3, 2002, another Lady Tiger achieved an amazing feat. McFadyen became the first Lady Tiger to have a triple-double with 12 assists, 10 steals and 10 rebounds.
It is believed to the first ever triple-double in NCAA, WNBA, and NBA history without a shot attempt.
McFadyen said it took a total team effort to accomplish the deed.
“I felt like everybody was in sync with each other,” McFadyen said. “You could tell by the feel of the game, it was going to be ours. Everybody played and contributed to that triple-double. It was not an individual thing.”
The numbers show the 5-6 guard has been unselfish in her two years at Memphis. McFadyen only attempted 25 shots last season and 28 this year.
McFadyen led the Lady Tigers in assists with 119 in 2001-02. This season, McFadyen is second on the team with 60.
McFadyen has also made 130 steals in her Memphis career.
The Auckland, New Zealand native said finishing the regular season in The Pyramid is nice but the proper place would have been The Jungle.
“To be honest, I wish the final game was in the Fieldhouse,” McFadyen said. “I really want it to be in the Fieldhouse because this is what I considered home. The Pyramid, I really don’t considered home.
“The Fieldhouse is where we played a majority of our games, this is where the atmosphere is at, and this where we can hear and see the fans every time we step on the court.”
Fellow senior Beckwith said the arena downtown just doesn’t have the feel of the gym on campus.
“Being down there in The Pyramid, it so cold down there,” Beckwith said. “It’s so cold in there, I’m freezing. I mean I like The Pyramid and everything, but I’m use to the playing in close gym like this.”
As a role player, the 5-10 forward sees limited action. In 109 minutes this season, Beckwith has contributed 32 points and pulled down 24 boards.
Another role the Florence, Ala. native accepts on the team requires maturity.
“Off the court, I’m known as Grandma,” Beckwith said. “I take care of everybody basically. If they sick, I’ll bring the orange juice, give you medicine and take care of you. We’re a team. If one got the cold, we have to make sure she gets rid of it so no one else will catch it.”
The Lady Tigers (12-13, 5-7 in Conference USA) are in ninth place in the conference. Memphis will try to clinch one of the 12 tournament spots in the pair of games.
The No. 1 team in C-USA, the Cincinnati Lady Bearcats come to the Fieldhouse tonight. Cincinnati (20-5, 10-2 in C-USA) has won four straight games.
The Lady Bearcats only allow 59.5 points a game.
Sunday, the Lady Cardinals pay a visit to The Pyramid. Louisville (14-11, 5-7 in C-USA) is currently eighth in C-USA.
Although the Lady Cardinals led the conference in scoring averaging 74 points a contest, Louisville enters the weekend on a five game losing streak.
Hart said the keys to victory this weekend are simple.
“We plan on playing,” Hart said. “We’re at home. This our turf. We always play well at home. We are going to define our turf. We are going to bring our A-game.”
