Roane State women’s basketball coach Monica Boles, left, teaches how to break a full-court press during a recent practice.
Oct. 23, 2015
Roane State Community College women’s basketball coach Monica Boles always wants her teams to play hard and to play fast.
This year, her roster has the depth to make that happen. Boles expects to rotate 9-10 players and, as much as possible, play aggressive full-court defense.
“I think we will have quite a bit of athleticism, especially speed,” Boles said. “Our post players run well. I like what we have. We have depth at every position, and we have a little bit of everything. That was one of our goals in our recruiting class was to have more depth.”
Lacy Cantrell, a 6-1 freshman from Knoxville, and RaChelle Parks, a 5-11 freshman from Grand Junction, will lead the way in the frontcourt. Each player has a good combination of size and speed, Boles said. Left-hander Jordan Whitt from Clinton will also contribute, Boles said, along with Nina Carter, a 5-11 post from Wartburg who is the best outside shooter among the frontcourt players. Amber Hudgens, a 5-11 guard/post from Sparta, is long and lean and runs the floor well. She will play the 3 and 4 positions.
Guard Jakayia Fain, a freshman from Fulton High School, and Ariana Prather, a 5-6 guard from Clarksville will play the point and run the offense. Sophomore guards Dee Cook (Maryville) and Jade Napier (Rockwood) are skilled shooters and passers who have game experience. Jessi Morgan, a 5-5 freshman guard from Oneida, “can get to the rim and has hang time on her jump shot,” Boles said.
Haley Cornellison from Kingston, Tennessee Community College Athletic Association Freshman of the Year, is one of the team’s top scoring threats. Sophomore guard Madison Hampton of Dayton played about 10 minutes a game last year and has become a more versatile player who can shoot from outside and off the dribble. Kelsey Roberts, a 5-11 guard/post, also provides strong inside play and is accurate from 3-point range. Ema Plentauskaite, a 5-9 guard from Lithuania, is a “deadly 3-point shooter” who will contribute offensively.
“I like our versatility,” Boles said. “I like our depth. We’re young, but our sophomores have had substantial experience. We want to get to the basket and take good open outside shots. We also want to get points in the paint. I think we have the tools to do that.”
Boles and her team will have to adjust to some changes in the women’s game. Instead of playing two, 20-minute halves, teams will play four, 10-minute quarters. There will be no more one-and-one free throws. Teams will shoot two free throws on the fifth team foul in each quarter.
To make late-game scenarios more interesting, a new rule allows teams to advance the ball to frontcourt following a timeout immediately after a made basket with under a minute left in the fourth quarter and any overtime periods. Teams also will be allowed to advance the ball to frontcourt after a rebound or a change of possession. The ball would be inbounded at the 28-foot mark on the side of the court where the scorer’s table is located.
Regardless of the changes to the women’s game, Boles’ mission remains the same – contend for the conference title.
“I always expect us to be one of the top few in the league,” Boles said. “A lot of that depends on how quickly we develop and learn. I can see their potential. I have seen some glimpses of brilliance and some glimpses of where we need to improve. I think it’s going to be a fun journey.”
Boles is assisted by Jill Herman and strength and conditioning coach Shaun Simpson.
Learn more about Roane State athletics.
3 Ariana Prather, freshman, 5-6 guard, Clarksville
4 Dee Cook, sophomore, 5-7, guard, Maryville,
5 Madison Hampton, sophomore, 5-6, guard, Dayton
11 Jade Napier, sophomore, 5-4, guard, Rockwood
12 Jordan Whitt, freshman, 5-9, post, Clinton
14 Amber Hudgens, sophomore, 5-11, guard/post, Sparta
20 Jessi Morgan, freshman, 5-5, guard, Oneida
23 RaChelle Parks, freshman, 5-11, post, Grand Junction
24 Jakayia Fain, freshman, 5-5, guard, Knoxville
25 Lacy Cantrell, freshman, 6-1, post, Knoxville
32 Nina Carter, freshman, 5-11, post, Wartburg
33 Ema Plentauskaite, freshman, 5-9, guard, Kaunas, Lithuania
40 Kelsey Roberts, sophomore, 5-11, guard/post, Sparta
42 Haley Cornellison, sophomore, 5-11, guard/post, Kingston
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