Thousands of blue-clad fans descended upon downtown Thursday night for one of the most talked-about Memphis Madness events in school history. While many eyes were on the men’s team and the beginning of the Penny Hardaway era, the night also highlighted the women’s program. With several key players returning from injury, the Tigers are looking to have a bounce-back season.
To kick off the action, players from both teams were paired up to compete in a skills challenge that tested each player on fundamentals. In the championship round, freshman guard Jamirah Shutes, who was partnered with Alex Lomax, outlasted the duo of Kareem Brewton, Jr. and junior guard Gazmyne Herndon in a tightly contested battle that had fans in the crowd on the edge of their seats.
“I just think this is the most electric atmosphere that you can find across the country,” women’s basketball head coach Melissa McFerrin said. “Our fans here showed us a lot of love, and we are appreciative of them.”
After a performance of “Shoot,” by Memphis native BlocBoy JB hyped up the crowd, members of both teams took the floor to compete in a three-point shootout. In the opening round, junior forward Kiana Coomber led the way with 10 points total with Shutes and freshman guard Rudy White both trailing closely behind with nine points each. However, White’s 16-point outburst in the second round propelled her past Coomber and into the final round, where she lost to David Wingett by a tally of 18-7. Nevertheless, the three-point prowess displayed by White, Shutes and Coomber will be pivotal to this season’s success.
Going into McFerrin’s 11th season at the helm, the women’s basketball team is in a prime position to rebound with a number of transfers, freshman signees and returning veterans who are replenished and re-energized after a disappointing campaign in 2017.
It is worth mentioning that both Shuttles and White are expected to contribute to this team right out of the gate. Shuttles scored more than 3,000 points during her high school career. In addition, White had a remarkable senior season. She averaged 22 points, eight assists and eight rebounds.
The Tigers flashed some of the potentials that could lead to them finishing higher in the American Athletic Conference that appears to be wide-open behind national powerhouse Connecticut. The women’s basketball team tips off their 2018 regular season Nov. 7 against Jackson State at Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
