ETSU’s women’s basketball was picked to finish ninth in the Southern Conference Coaches Preseason Poll and ninth in the SoCon Media Poll for the upcoming 2002-03 season.
Voters in both polls picked Chattanooga to win its unprecedented fourth consecutive SoCon Championship, while UNC Greensboro was a consensus pick to place second in the league at this weekend’s annual “Tip-Off” meetings.
Last season the Lady Bucs’ record was 10-18 overall and 5-13 in conference play. Head coach Karen Kemp led the team to big wins over in-state rivals Chattanooga and Tennessee Tech en route to recording her 100th career victory at ETSU. This season the Lady Bucs have high expectations with the return of two starters and nine letterwinners, including preseason All-Southern Conference selection Lauren Trantham and senior forward Misty Copas.
Trantham, a junior, led the Lady Bucs in scoring (10.5 ppg), rebounding (8.5 rpg) and blocked shots (1) during the 2001-02 season. Trantham finished the season ranked second in the SoCon in rebounding and third in shooting percentage (.520) behind Copas, who led the league with a .669 shooting percentage, setting an ETSU single-season record in the process.
The Lady Bucs begin practice on Saturday and will open the 2002-03 schedule on the road at Tennessee Tech on Nov. 22.
ETSU’s first home game is Dec. 5 in Memorial Center as the Lady Bucs host Tusculum College.

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