After the final buzzer sounded the end of last season, the Golden Eagles weren’t aware of the major changes that would be made throughout the course of the offseason. One thing that remained the same was the drive to be the best. Jim Davis was named coach of the 2012-13 Golden Eagles in July and since that moment, Davis was ready to start the 2012-13 campaign. Davis wasted little time in regrouping and preparing for the upcoming season. And it has been difficult for him to contain his excitement. As last season progressed, the Golden Eagles had flashes of dominance from guard Jala Harris, and forward Molly Heady transformed from a role player to a go-to star. As Davis assessed what he inherited from one of the most storied programs in NCAA history, he found himself with a group of seniors that had been to the OVC Tournament Championship game the past two years, strong underclassman and a talented freshman class coming in as well as a former transfer
sharp-shooter, Lashay Davis. With outstanding facilities in place, a new but wellrounded coaching staff and the most complete and talented roster Tech has seen in a few years at Tech, Davis was ready to embark on a breakthrough season, but he knew one thing was missing. While acknowleding his players’ dedication in past years, Davis knew this group had the potential go give more. He wanted them to understand that it is a privilege to play for Tennessee Tech University, so in honor of his new start, he urged his players to strengthen their commitment in the fall offseason and take their first semester more seriously than ever before. Davis’ plan was clear, and the players returned to the court more focused and excited than ever before. “The first couple of weeks will tell a new coaching staff a lot about the grit our girls have,” Davis said. “You have a group of seniors and a group of juniors that are anxious to play as their opportunities are starting to dwindle. Everybody has a fresh set of eyes starAllison ing them down.”
Price
The 2012-13 season is the time for players like Kellie Cook, Kylie Cook, Katherine Barker, Davis, Harris and Heady. Their work ethic has trickled down to the rest of the team and the underclassman are itching for their own breakout season.
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Backcourt If there’s one reason more than any other of the
Seniors (Left to Right) Lashay Davis, Katherine Barker, Kylie Cook, Kellie Cook and Lashay Davis.
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increased optimisim this season, it’s the massive threat on the perimeter. Despite losing fan favorite Taccarra Hayes to graduation, Tech’s biggest strength this season should be the perimeter play of its guards. The Golden Eagles are deeper, more talented and more experienced at the guard position than years prior. It starts with the trio of Jala Harris, Kellie Cook and Lashay Davis. Each brings a different game to the floor, but all three have the capability of putting up big numbers any given night. Harris, who returns as the Golden Eagles starting point guard, is the floor general behind the offenisve attack. At 5-foot-6, Harris provides lightning-quick speed an uncanny ability to create shots for herself and her teammates. In her junior season, a transfer from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Harris could not take the court as a Golden Eagle in the first semester of the season. However, the impact she made once hitting the court, was immediate. Harris teamed up with Hayes for a one-two punch that most teams couldn’t compete with. She dished out 2.6 assists per game, but more importantly, she learned how to take control of the game and run the team. One of Harris’s primary passing mates on the
2012-2013 • TECH WOMEN’S BASKETBALL