UTC women must adjust to departures of Gilberts, Foster
For the first time in quite a while, some questions surround the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s basketball program.
Luckily, most can be easily answered.
Gone from the program are sisters Aryanna and Keiana Gilbert, taking a combined nine years of Mocs experience with them. Also gone is Hall of Fame coach Jim Foster, who retired after five seasons and 120 wins at the helm of the program.
In 40 seasons, Foster won 903 games and is widely considered one of the most influential people in the history of the women’s game.
The program has been turned over, albeit on an interim basis, to assistant coach Katie Burrows, who played for the Mocs prior to joining the coaching staff in 2009. She’s considered a favorite to assume the position full time, but the university is conducting a national search.
The chosen coach will inherit a team that has experience yet is inexperienced at the same time. Players who have been around must assume larger roles with the Gilbert sisters no longer available for all-around duties.
Today, the Times Free Press takes a positional look at the 2018-19 roster:
GUARDS
Who’s gone: The Gilbert sisters were versatile threats who averaged a combined 27 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game last season. Keiana, a four-time All-Southern Conference selection, missed the final four games with a lower-body injury but still ended her career as one of the top statistical players in UTC history, while Aryanna basically doubled her career averages as a senior once Foster asked her to contribute more, averaging 12.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Jacobi Lynn, who played in seven games before a knee injury, will not be available this season.
Who’s back: Lakelyn Bouldin headlines a solid core of returning players. The junior averaged 12.4 points per game and shot 39 percent from 3- point range and will be asked to expand her game even more this season as a primary scoring option. Sophomore Brooke Burns exploded on the scene late, averaging 16.2 points in her final five games, including a 36- point outburst in the SoCon tournament quarterfinal loss to UNC Greensboro after taking on an expanded role due to Keiana Gilbert’s injury. Junior Molly Melton earned a starting spot midway through the season and became a valuable defender and distributor, while all- freshman selection Bria Dial and Mya Long played well in spurts. Junior Nakeia Burks suffered an injury in November and took a medical redshirt. She was the starting point guard during the team’s trip to Canada in August.
Who’s new: The coaching staff brought in Minnesota prep star Morgan Hill, who has a sister in the WNBA. Eboni Williams is also new, although she could figure in more as a forward.
FORWARDS
Who’s gone: Foster liked versatile players. Aryanna Gilbert played a lot of forward during her time, despite transitioning to more of a full- time ball-handler as a senior. Ashlyn Wert graduated from the program and decided to move closer to home, choosing to play her final season at St. Joseph’s, where Foster got his college coaching start.
Who’s back: Arianne Whitaker was one of three Mocs who played in all 30 contests last year, joining Aryanna and senior Shelbie Davenport. Whitaker became one of the league’s top shot blockers, knocking 45 attempts away, while averaging 6.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in her sophomore season. Davenport, who also plays guard, averaged 2.6 points per game. Dial figures in as a forward as well, while fellow sophomore Rochelle Lee showed some flashes in her first season, earning two starts and scoring 40 points in limited time.
Who’s new: In addition to Williams, the coaching staff brought in 6-foot-2 Abbey Cornelius, who played for former Moc Jennifer ( Wilson) Galloway at Hardin Valley. Cornelius is more of an interior presence who averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds per game, while Williams filled multiple roles while in high school.
OUTLOOK
Once the coaching situation is all sorted out, the new head coach will have to figure out the best use of the roster. Ten of the 12 players on the active roster stand between 5-9 and 6-3, with nine standing 5-10 or taller and presenting versatile options. Highlighted by a visit from former UTC coach Wes Moore’s North Carolina State team, the schedule as usual won’t be easy, but this Mocs team has the chance to be a really good one by the end of the season. And the SoCon won’t be as top heavy as in years past after five consecutive UTC conference championships and last season’s domination by Mercer, which won 30 games and won its league games by an average of 16.9 points.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley @timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.