Although the women's basketball team lost six seniors including the entire inside game, the group coming back and the recruiting class coming in is sure to put up some wins. "We're going to be bigger, a better defensive club and definitely more athletic," Coach Rice added. "Frankly, I'm excited and anxious to get started."

The recruiting class is made up of four scholarship freshmen, two freshmen walk-ons and two transfers.

The scholarship freshmen signees include:

*Courtney Gobble (Walker Valley): An All-State selection, the 5'3 point guard averaged 12 points for the Lady Mustangs who posted a 31-3 record before losing the opening round of the Class AAA State Tournament. "Courtney is quick, handles the ball well and athletic," said Rice. "But her best quality is she knows how to get the ball where it needs to be for other people to get shots."

*Alli Moreland (Walker Valley): The 5'8 wing averaged 15 points for the Lady Mustangs. "Alli shot about 45 percent from behind the arc," said Rice. "She gives us a legitimate 3-point threat on the wing."

*Bailey Lyness (Red Bank): The 5'3 point guard averaged 17 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals for the 22-9 Lady Lions. "Bailey can get other people shots or shoot it herself," said Rice. "She is so quick and athletic."

*Cody Houck (Clinton): The 5'11 post averaged 15 points and led the Knoxville area in rebounding with 12 boards per game as Clinton recorded a 14-11 record. Houck played this summer for Team Adidas on the women's side of the Rocky Top Basketball League in Knoxville. "Cody is aggressive at both ends of the floor and plays hard," said Rice. "I think she has the opportunity to be a special player in this league."

Walk-on freshmen include:

*Madison McWilliams (Jefferson County): The 5'11 post averaged 14 points for the Lady Patriots who reached the sectional playoffs with a 22-11 record. "Madison can score, but her strong suit is defense," said Rice.

*Stephanie Brunner (Union County): The 5'7 win averaged 16 points for Union County. "Stephanie's athleticism will make her a versatile player for us," said Rice.

Transfer players include:

*Rochelle Davidson (Roane State): The 5'11 post from Cookeville averaged 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Lady Raiders. "Rochelle is a strong presence," said Rice. "She will make us a better defensive club inside which was a problem for us last year."

*Christine Lambasio (Martin-Methodist) is 6'3 and originally from Kenya. "Christine still needs to improve her scoring skills, but she is so long and athletic," said Rice. "We believe that in time, she has the potential to become big contributor for us."

Rice will also have a couple of new "old faces" from McMinn County join the team in Leah Frazier and Abriel Hardaway. Frazier, a starting guard in her previouos two years at Wesleyan, red-shirted her junior year while recovering from knee surgery and Hardaway was a freshman redshirt.   "We're glad to have Leah back," said Rice. "She provides us with a lot of intensity and effort on the court."

Three-year starter Amy Jo Castor is back for her senior season along with Brittany Steen, Candace Cain, Heather Gibson, Gabby Jordan, Lacey Allen and Lauren Murr, all of whom saw considerable playing time last year. "It's going to be a challenge. There are a lot of new faces," said Rice. "It'll be interesting to see how all the pieces fit together, but I believe the potential to be a pretty good club is there."