2013-14 Western Carolina Women's Basketball Online guide

Western Carolina University

Catamounts = FUN!

S R O SENI

#21

Forward • 6-0 • Senior Stone Mountain, Ga. Paideia

Alex Abraham

Up Close With Alex Abraham

Purple or Gold?

Purple

Song on your ipod your teammates would be surprised you listen to?

Graduation by Vitamin C that I have had since middle school.

Favorite memory playing basketball?

Playing in the 17U AAU National Championship Game.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Done with Grad School and having a job I enjoy waking up to do everyday

Favorite place to eat on campus?

Roosters

Most hilarious teammate?

Hana Haden

Favorite place on campus and why?

Our locker room - a lot of good memories happen in there.

Why Western Carolina?

The people and the sense of community.

2012-13 Highlights • Played in 25 games and started 24 • Averaged 3.4 points per game shooting 33.6 percent from the field ... Scored in double figures once • Led the team in rebounds twice.

LINK TO FULL BIO AND CAREER STATS

#3

Guard • 5-4 • Senior Springfield, Mo. Oak Hill Academy / Mineral Area Junior College

Hana Haden

Up Close With Hana Haden

Purple or gold?

Purple clothes, gold jewelry

If they did a reality series on your life what would it be called?

Hot Mess Express

Song on your ipod your teammates would be surprised you listen to?

None- It’s all T.I. and they fully expect that.

Favorite memory playing basketball?

Winning the KTXR Tournament in high school.

Where you see yourself in 10 years?

Somewhere coaching in six inch heels

Favorite place to eat on campus?

Chick-Fil-A

Most hilarious teammate?

Bri-J or Bri and EJ

Why Western Carolina?

The Team

2012-13 Highlights • Played in 28 games and started 18 • Ranked second on the team in assists with 25 leading the team in assists in six games • Scored a game-high nine points against Wofford (01/05/13) • Had 11 steals on the season

LINK TO FULL BIO AND CAREER STATS

#33

Guard/Forward 5-9 • Senior Durham, N.C. Jordan HS

Kristen Lyon

Up Close With Kristen Lyon

Purple or gold?

Purple

If they did a reality series on your life what would it be called?

Pushing through the pain

Name a book or movie that had a big affect on your life?

The Passion of the Christ

Favorite food place/best meal of the day?

McAlisters

Favorite memory playing basketball?

Scoring my 1,000th point in high school

Where you see yourself in 10 years?

Married and having my own counseling business

Most hilarious teammate?

Hana Haden

Favorite place in campus and why?

My room, I can create whatever atmosphere I want

2012-13 Highlights • Played in 28 games • Scored a career-best 13 points against Elon (02/04/13) • Scored in double figures twice • The 113 points were a season-best in her career

LINK TO FULL BIO AND CAREER STATS

#34

Forward • 6-0 • Senior Henderson, N.C. Southern Vance HS

Shauna Terry

Up Close With Shauna Terry

Purple or gold?

Purple

If they did a reality series on your life what would it be called?

True Life: I Speak Shabonics (It’s Shauna)

Nickname and why?

Shaq (its a long story)

Song on your ipod your teammates would be surprised you listen to?

Favorite memory playing basketball?

What Hurts the Most by Rascal Flatts Tripping over the line at GSU and falling flat on my face

Favorite place on campus and why?

The fountain area, I like to meet new people

Favorite place to eat on campus?

Chick-Fil-A

Why Western Carolina?

The scenery and my team!

2012-13 Highlights • Played in 29 games and started 13 • Led the team with 39 blocks averaging 1.3 blocks per game which ranked her sixth in the Southern Conference • Has 106 blocks in her career ranking her third in the Western Carolina record books, needing 25 blocks to break the career record of 130 • Led the team in rebounds 18 times and twice had double figure rebounding performances including a career-high 13 rebounds against UNCG (12/01/12)

LINK TO FULL BIO AND CAREER STATS

#23

Guard • 5-7 • Senior Raleigh, N.C. Wake Forest Rolesville HS

Rena Wakama

Up Close With Rena Wakama

Purple or Gold?

Purple

If they did a reality series on your life what would it be called?

True Life: I’m weird

Nickname?

Re and Stinky

Name a book or movie that had a big affect on you?

Love and Basketball

Favorite memory playing basketball?

Winning MVP of the conference my senior year in high school

Where you see yourself in 10 years?

Married with kids; possibly coaching

Most hilarious teammate?

Erika Joseph

Favorite quote from your Head Coach Karen Middleton?

Hold yourself accountable

2011-12 Highlights • Played in 28 games and started 11 • Ranked second on the team in points averaging 6.6 points per game and second on the team in total points with 184 • Ranked third on the team in three pointers with 18

LINK TO FULL BIO AND CAREER STATS

JUNIORS

#32

Guard/Forward • 6-1 • Junior Kingsport, Tenn.

Sullivan South HS

Makensey Campbell

Up Close With Makensey Campbell Purple of gold?

Purple

Nickname and why?

Mak just because its shorter than Makensey

Name book or movie that had a big affect on your life?

Reach for the Summitt

Where you see yourself in 10 years?

Owning a dental practice in East Tennessee

Most hilarious teammate?

They’re all hilarious. It just depends on the day.

Favorite quote from Head Coach Karen Middleton?

“Winnable. Doable. Gettable”

Favorite memory playing basketball?

Winning the 1st round of the SoCon tournament freshman year

Why Western Carolina?

The team felt like a family

2012-13 Highlights • Named Southern Conference Student Athlete of the Week • Played in 30 games and started three • Shot 31.4 percent from the field and averaged 2.4 rebounds per game • Scored in double figures four times and led the team in scoring four times

LINK TO FULL BIO AND CAREER STATS

#20

Guard • 5-8 • Junior Charlotte, N.C. Charlotte Catholic HS

Ali Lane

Up Close With Ali Lane

Purple or Gold?

Purple

If they did a reality series on your life what would it be called?

Life at the Nike Store

Song on your iPod your teammates would be shocked you listen to?

Midnight train to Georgia

by Gladys Knight

Where you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully coaching somewhere, married with kids and living the dream

Most hilarious teammate?

Erika Joseph

Favorite memory playing basketball?

My whole junior year of high school

Favorite place on campus?

Roosters

Why Western Carolina?

The atmosphere and scenic mountain views

2012-13 Highlights • Played in 30 games and started 29 • Averaged 4.9 points per game and shot 26.8 percent from the field • Led the team in assists with 48 • Ranked second on the team in steals with 35

LINK TO FULL BIO AND CAREER STATS

#14

Guard • 5-9 • Junior Max Meadows, Va. Fort Chiswell HS 2012-13 Highlights • Played in 13 games • Averaged 1.8 points per game and shot 29.2 percent from the field

Nancy Thacker

LINK TO FULL BIO AND CAREER STATS

Up Close With Nancy Thacker

Purple or gold?

Purple

If they did a reailty series on your life what would it be called?

Eat, Sleep, Repeat

Nickname and why?

Nance - it’s one syllable short of Nancy

Name a book or movie that has had a big affect on your life?

Amelie

Favorite memory playing basketball

The last AAU tournament win

Where you see yourself in 10 years?

Have a family and a steady job in Family Therapy

Favorite place to eat on campus?

Starbucks

Why Western Carolina ?

It’s beautiful in the Whee and my teammates are family

#24

Guard • 5-8 • Junior Gastonia, N.C. Louisburg Community College

Justin Taylor

LINK TO FULL BIO

Up Close With Justin Taylor

Purple of Gold

Gold

If they did a reality series on your life what would it be called?

The Life of a Stuggler, Story of Success

Nickname and why?

JT because it’s my intials

Most hilarious teammate?

Erika Joseph

Favorite place to eat on campus?

Panda Express

Favorite memory playing basketball?

Scoring 47 points in a game

Name a book or movie that had a big affect on your life?

The One That Got Away

Song on your ipod your teammates would be surprised you listen to?

Read all about it by Emeli Sande

SOPHOMORES

#35

Center/Forward • 6-2 • Sophomore Albermarle, N.C. North Stanley HS 2012-13 Highlights • Played in six games • Scored first points of her career against Chattanooga (02/23/13) and also recorded two blocks

Lindsey Burleson

LINK TO FULL BIO AND CAREER STATS

Up Close With Lindsey Burleson

Purple or Gold?

Gold

If they did a reality series on your life what would it be called?

I’m a Baby Dinosaur

Nickname and why?

“LB” because I didn’t want to be “EY”

Name or book or movie that had a big affect on your life?

Harry Potter Book Series

Favorite place on campus and why?

The arch under Blue Ridge because it’s so beautiful

Where you see yourself in 10 years?

Graduated from Medical School!

Favorite place to eat on campus?

Starbucks

Why Western Carolina?

Just feels like Family!

#25

Forward • 6-0 • Sophomore Lilburn, Ga. Parkview HS

Erika Joseph

Up Close With Erika Joseph

Purple or gold?

Purple

If they did a reality series on your life what would it be called?

Day to Day with EJ

Nickname and why?

EJ because it’s catchy

Favorite place to eat on campus?

McAllisters

Most hilarious teammate?

Rena Wakama

Why Western Carolina?

It’s a family atmosphere here. We are one big family!

Song on your ipod your teammates would be surprised you listen to?

“Ice Cream Truck Melody” It reminds me of summer

Name or book or movie that had a big affect on your life?

The book: Some Friend - it taught me that people come from all walks of life, yet you can still be their friend

2012-13 Highlights • Featured in the 2013 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship program • Played in 30 games • Pulled down 85 rebounds • Scored in double figures twice including a careerhigh 16 points against Davidson (03/04/13)

LINK TO FULL BIO AND CAREER STATS

#15

Guard • 5-7 • Sophomore Franklin, N.C. Franklin HS

Lindsay Simpson

Up Close With Lindsay Simpson

Purple or gold?

Purple

If they did a reality series on your life what would it be called?

The basketball life

Name a book or movie that had a big affect on you?

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Where you see yourself in 10 years?

Playing professionally and later owning my own business

Favorite place to eat on campus?

Subway

Most hilarious teammate?

Erika Joseph

Favorite place on campus and why?

The Ramsey center because I get to play basketball anytime I want.

Favorite quote from Head Coach Karen Middleton?

The harder you work, the more good things will come to you.

2012-13 Highlights • Named to the 2013 Southern Conference All-Freshmen Team • Led the team in scoring averaging 7.4 points per game scoring a team best 223 points and shooting 33.6 percent from the field • Paced the team in three-pointers hitting 35 for the season for a team-best 31.3 percent from the field • Played in 30 games and started 13 • Led the team in scoring six times ... Scored in double figures nine times • Clocked in a career-best 25 points against Furman (01/23/13) ... The 25 points scored by Simpson was the most points scored by a women’s basketball since 2009.

LINK TO FULL BIO AND CAREER STATS

FRESHMEN

#5

Forward • 6-2 • Freshman Atlanta, Ga. Southwest Atlanta Christian Academcy

Alexis Carter

LINK TO FULL BIO AND CAREER STATS

Up Close With Alexis Carter

Purple or gold?

Gold

If they did a reality series on your life what would it be called?

Life of Lex

Name a book or movie that had a big affect on your life?

Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Favorite memory playing basketball?

My Championship Game 2012-2013’ I had 25 points

Where you see yourself in 10 years?

Manager of a computer company

Favorite place to eat on campus?

Subway

Favorite place on campus and why?

Freshens they have so much ice cream.

Favorite quote from Head Coach Karen Middleton?

It’s doable

#44

Forward • 6-3 • R-Freshman Gastonia, N.C. Southlake Christian Academy

Brianne Mack

LINK TO FULL BIO AND CAREER STATS

Up Close With Brianne Mack

Purple or gold?

Purple

If they did a reality series on your life what would it be called?

“Bargains with Bri” or “The life of an Invisible Child”

Name a book or movie that had a big affect on your life?

The Great Gatsby

Favorite class at WCU?

Human Biology

Favorite place to eat in campus?

Starbucks

Most hilarious teammate?

Erika Joseph

Song on your ipod your teammates would be surprised you listen to?

Bless the Broken Road

by Rascal Flatts

Favorite quote from Head Coach Karen Middleton?

Let’s go baseline

Karen Middleton Head Coach Fifth Season at Western Carolina

Middleton Notes

Education: South Carolina, 1991, BA Elementary Education/ 1993, MA Physical Eduction Coaching Experience • South Carolina, Volunteer Assistant Coach (1991-92) • South Carolina, Assistant Coach (1992-94) • Eastern Washington University, Assistant Coach (1994-97) • Stanford, Assistant Coach (1997-2007) • Illinois, Assistant Coach (2007-2009) • Western Carolina, Head Coach (2009-present) Championships: • at South Carolina (Player, Metro Conf. Championship, 1988) • at Stanford (Asst. Coach, 8 PAC-10, 10 Titles - 1997-2007) Playing Experience: • College: South Carolina, 1987-91 Notables: • Helped coach three Kodak All-Americans at Stanford • Helped coach two PAC-10 Players of the Year • Helped coach over 26 players play professionally

LINK TO FULL BIO

I O

’ N

G

O R P

Karen Middleton has coached and developed some of the best players in the world. From the WNBA to Euro Leagues to Olympians…...The list goes on and on.

26 PLAYERS HAVE GONE ON TO PLAY PROFESSIONAL BALL. The most recent: Candice Wiggins—Minnesota Lynx Nicole Powell—New York Liberty Jayne Appel—San Antonio Silver Stars

Tre’ka McMillian Assistant Coach

Fifth Season at Western Carolina

LINK TO FULL BIO

Jonelle Streed Assistant Coach Fifth Season at Western Carolina LINK TO FULL BIO

Tim Wilson Assistant Coach First Season at Western Carolina LINK TO FULL BIO

2013-14 ROSTER Numerical Roster

#

3 5 14 15 20 21 23 24 25 32 33 34 35 44

Name

Ht.

Pos.

Cl.

Hana Haden Alexis Carter Nancy Thacker Lindsay Simpson Ali Lane Alex Abraham Rena Wakama Justin Taylor Erika Joseph Makensey Campbell Kristen Lyon Shauna Terry Lindsey Burleson Brianne Mack

5-4 6-2 5-9 5-7 5-8 6-0 5-7 5-8 6-0 6-1 5-9 6-1 6-2 6-3

G F G G G F G G F G G F F F

SR FR JR SO JR SR SR JR SO JR SR SR SO R-FR

Hometown (Previous School / High School)

Springfield, Mo. (Mineral Area Junior College) Atlanta, Ga. (Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy) Max Meadows, Va. (Fort Chiswell HS) Franklin, N.C. (Franklin HS) Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Catholic HS) Stone Mountain, Ga. (Paideia School) Raleigh, N.C. (Wake Forest Rolesville HS) Gastonia, N.C. ((Louisburg Community College) Lilburn, Ga. (Parkview HS) Kingsport, Tenn. (Sullivan South HS) Durham, N.C. (Jordan HS) Henderson, N.C. (Southern Vance HS) Albermarle, N.C. (North Stanley HS) Charlotte, NC. (Southlake Christina Academy)

H ead Coach: Karen Middleton Assistant Coaches: Tre’ka McMillian, Jonelle Streed, Tim Wilson

SUPPORT STAFF

Denise Gideon Media Relations

Jessica Webster Athletic Trainer

Carly Sprouse Manager

2013-14 CATAMOUNTS

CATAMOUNT HAWAII

A K S ALA

TRAVELS

HAWAII

YELL OWS

TONE

CATAMOUNT Western Carolina women’s basketball won its first Southern Conference regular season title in 2007. The Catamounts won a school record 15 Southern Conference games and tied with Chattanooga for the regular season title. WCU also earned its first-ever Number one seed in the Southern Conference Tournament.

WCU went on to play in the post-season WNIT.

2005 Western Carolina women’s basketball won its first Southern Conference Tournament title, in school history, in 2005. The Catamounts outlasted #5 Georgia Southern, 97-95 in two overtimes to earn the title and its first trip to the NCAA Tournament. WCU also became the first team in SoCon history to reach and win the tournamet after playing in the first round.

2007

CHAMPIONS 2009 It took three overtimes, 101 points and clutch free throws down the stretch, but Western Carolina women’s basketball weathered it all, to capture the 2009 Southern Conference Tournament Title, the second tournament title in school history. The No. 3 seeded Western Carolina defeated No. 5 seed College of Charleston 101-87 in the come from behind victory. The game was the third-highest scoring game in SoCon Tournament history. Western Carolina’s 101 points was also just the third 100-point game in tournament history. It was also the first time a SoCon Tournament final game went into triple overtime. Western Carolina earned a 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the highest seed in school history. The Catamounts went on to face No. 4 seed Vanderbilt in the first round of the NCAA Touarnaemnt.

THE CATAMOUNT

FAN EXPEREIENCE

IT STARTS WITH THE FUSE THAT THE GAME LIGHTS INSIDE US. PASSION IS EXCHANGED BETWEEN THE COURT AND THE STANDS. ENERGY BECOMES SYNERGY. OUR UNCOMMON DESIRE BECOMES OUR COMMON GROUND. BECAUSE THIS SEASON, IT'S ABOUT INTENSITY. IT'S DRIVEN BY INNOVATION THAT ELEVATES, AND SPEED THAT TH WILL RISE. THE GAME WILL BECOME FASTER, AND PRIDE WILL BURN HOTTER. IN ARENAS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, INTENSITY WILL INSPIRE COLLEGE FANS AND COLLEGE PLAYERS TO UNITE AS ONE.

~

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THE RAMSE

EY CENTER

WEIGHT ROOM

TRAINING ROOM

VIDEO ROOM

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PLAYER DEVELOPMENT At Western Carolina, our staff has had tremendous experience and success in helping players grow as basketball players. We take great pride in helping our players improve and take their game to another level through individual skill work, weekly video sessions, and competitive position group work. Our staff provides fundamental guidelines, specific instruction, and goals setting for each of the members of our team to insure our players improve their game from year to year.

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SOUTHERN CONFERENCE The Southern Conference is a national leader in emphasizing the development of the student-athlete and in helping to build lifelong leaders and role models.

The Southern Conference has been on the forefront of innovation and originality in developing creative solutions to address issues facing intercollegiate athletics. From establishing the first conference basketball tournament (1921), tackling the issue of freshmen eligibility (1922), developing women’s championships (1984) and becoming the first conference to install the three-point goal in basketball (1980), the Southern Conference has been a pioneer.

The Southern Conference is the nation’s fifth-oldest NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association. Only the Big Ten (1896), the Missouri Valley (1907), the Pacific 10 (1915) and the Southwestern Athletic (1920) conferences are older in terms of origination.

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CATAMOUNT HISTORY Jayne Arledge was first female to receive athletic grant-in aid at Western Carolina University in 1976 and the first female to have her jersey retired in school history.

She is the all-time leading scorer in WCU women’s basketball history with 1,928 points in four seasons and averaged 21.7 points per game for her career. She scored 30 points five times and owns 11 WCU game, season and career WCU records. She led the Lady Catamounts to four consecutive winning seasons and was two time allstate selection. An honor student who has gone on to a successful collegiate coaching career. Inducted in 1992. Her No. 25 jersey was retired in 2006.

LINK TO HISTORY AND RECORD BOOK