The echoes of bouncing basketballs filled Brooks Gym as the ETSU women’s basketball team began their first practice of the 2002-03 season.
Recently ranked ninth in the preseason Southern Conference polls, the Lady Bucs are working hard to rise above the predictions.
Last season, the Lady Bucs were 5-14 in the conference and 10-18 overall, finishing ninth in the conference.
Most of their losses were on away games, finishing 1-8 in conference play and 2-10 overall.
Head coach Karen Kemp, who celebrated her 100th career victory at ETSU last year, returns for her ninth season.
Despite the loss of seven players, the Lady Bucs this season have a balanced return consisting of three seniors, three juniors and three sophomores.
Additions to the team are three freshmen, a junior and a sophomore.
The Lady Bucs will be looking to Lauren Trantham for an excellent season as she returns for her junior year. Last season, Trantham was ranked second in the conference in rebounding (8.5 rpg) and third in shooting percentage (.52). Trantham also led the team in scoring (10.5 ppg) and blocked shots (1.0), and was recently named a preseason All-Southern Conference selection.
Also returning is Misty Copas, a senior who led the conference with a .669 shooting percentage. A graduate of Sullivan North High School in Kingsport, Copas averaged 9.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
The Lady Bucs will open the 2002-03 season at Tennessee Tech on Nov. 22, while their first home game is Dec. 5 against Tusculum College in Memorial Center.

Author