Roane State Community College

The Roane State Raiderettes play their first home game Nov. 21 against Jackson State (5:30 p.m.). Front row, from left, are Madison Hampton, Jade Napier, De’Shanna Cook, Shanae Brown, Shauntae Brown, Cayla Oglesby, Danielle Slack and Tesia Dailey. Back row, from left, are head coach Monica Boles, Jordan Johnson, Amber Hudgens, Sydney Marek, Kassidi Freeman, Kelsey Roberts, Haley Cornellison, Katie Smartt, Chelsea Cheek and assistant coach Shaun Simpson.

Oct. 23, 2014

Roane State Community College women’s basketball coach Monica Boles wants to build on last season’s 20-12 record and trip to the conference tournament final.

“I was proud of our kids for making it that far,” she said. “I think we’ve got enough talent to be as good as or better than last year, but with our league, it’s always tough competition.”

Boles’ roster includes a blend of veterans and newcomers and of size and speed.

“We’ll be solid defensively,” Boles said. “I think we’ll match up well with our size and speed. I don’t see us having too much trouble scoring the ball. I think our experience will be key for us. We’ve got some feisty freshmen who will push our sophomores to get better each day. Offensively, we’ve got a good floor general.”

The floor general is sophomore Shauntae Brown, whom Boles called the best point guard she has coached. Brown averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 assists per game last season.

Roane State has six sophomores. Three of them played consistent minutes last season.

“We have a strong foundation and base from our sophomores, and we are excited about our freshmen,” Boles said. “More than half of the freshmen have worked out consistently all summer.

“This is one of the more talented groups we’ve had in a while. We’ve got a mix of everything. I think our freshmen still need some time, but I think they will arrive and provide some depth. All of our sophomores are really unselfish. They set a good example for the freshmen. They play good team basketball.”

Boles, who is assisted by strength-and-conditioning coach Shaun Simpson, provided her outlook for each of the Raiderettes.

For more information about Roane State athletics, visit www.roanestate.edu/athletics.

Shanae Brown, No. 3, sophomore, guard, 5-7, Frankfort, Ky.: Shanae Brown loves to play defense, Boles said, and she routinely gives the team extra possessions because of her relentlessness rebounding. She is also a good passer.

Shauntae Brown, No. 4, sophomore, guard, 5-7, Frankfort, Ky.: Shauntae Brown is the team’s primary point guard. She has great floor vision. “There is not anybody she’ll face that she can’t get by on her way to the rim,” Boles said. Brown is an excellent passer who has improved her perimeter shooting. “She’s a threat from all angles,” Boles said.

Chelsea Cheek, No. 20, freshman, guard, 5-10, Rockwood High school: Cheek is long and lanky with a quick first step. Her strength is getting to the basket, and she causes matchup problems defensively because of her length.

De’Shanna Cook, No. 24, freshman, guard, 5-6, Maryville High School: Cook is an excellent 3-point shooter. She’s quick, and she’s a solid on-the-ball defender. “We look for her to be a good shooter for us,” Boles said.

Haley Cornellison, No. 42, freshman, guard/post, 5-11, Roane County High School, Kingston: A transfer from Tennessee Wesleyan, Cornellison “makes everybody on the floor better,” Boles said. She’s athletic, a good rebounder and an excellent shooter who can hit long-range shots. Boles described her as “driven.”

Tesia Dailey, No. 33, freshman, guard, 5-5, Clarkrange High School: Boles said Dailey was known as the Tasmanian Devil in high school. “She gives 100 percent on everything she does,” Boles said. She’s a good shooter and passer who brings “great energy.”

Kassidi Freeman, No. 23, sophomore, post, 6-1, Sequoyah High School, Madisonville: One of the team’s tallest player, Freeman was defensive-minded as a freshman but has developed her offensive skills. “She has become more aggressive,” Boles said. “She has taken on a scoring role. I like what I am seeing from her.”

Madison Hampton, No. 30, freshman, guard, 5-6, Meigs County High School, Dayton: Hampton is a good shooter with a quick first step. She’s deceptively fast and a solid defender. Boles noted that she comes from a good program and has an excellent basketball IQ.

Amber Hudgens, No. 14, freshman, guard/post, 5-11, White County High School, Sparta: Hudgens is good around the basket and one of the fastest players on the team. “She has a great motor,” Boles said. Her speed helps her get behind the defense in transition.

Jordan Johnson, No. 32, freshman, guard/post, 5-8, Centennial High School, Brentwood: Johnson is an explosive athlete who rebounds well. She is athletic and has developed a solid shooting touch.

Sydney Marek, No. 25, freshman, post, 6-0, Cookeville High School: Marek is excellent with her back to the basket. She can go right or left as a post player, and she runs well in transition. “We plan on that creating mismatches for our opponents,” Boles said.

Jade Napier, No. 11, freshman, guard, 5-4, Rockwood High School: Napier is a hard worker who is “never intimidated and never backs down,” Boles said. She has a good shooting touch and is a good defender.

Cayla Oglesby, No. 5, sophomore, guard, 5-5, Anderson County High School, Rocky Top: One of the team’s better shooters, Oglesby can “light it up” from 3-point range, Boles said. She worked hard on her lateral speed to become a more effective defender. “Her shooting is stellar,” Boles said. “I anticipate big things. We look for her to be able to knock down open shots.”

Kelsey Roberts, No. 40, freshman, guard/post, 5-11, White County High School, Sparta: Roberts can play inside and out and can knock down 3-point shots. Boles likes her versatility and her intelligence.

Danielle Slack, No. 12, sophomore, guard/post, 5-7, Sequoyah High School, Madisonville: Slack is another versatile player who is skilled enough to play outside but long enough to step inside. Boles said Slack is good with her back to the basket and from the perimeter.

Katie Smartt, No. 10, freshman, guard, 5-9, Hardin Valley Academy, Knoxville: Smartt is a “very talented kid,” Boles said. She shoots well and is a good defender. Boles said she’s starting to adjust to the college game and has rebounded well in preseason scrimmages.