University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagles Open Practice on October 12
10/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Lady Eagles Open Practice on October 12
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss women's basketball team officially begins practice for the 2002-03 season at 9:30 a.m., Saturday morning, Oct. 12, in Reed Green Coliseum.
The Lady Eagles will have their second practice at 3 p.m., Saturday, as well. All practices for the Lady Eagles will be open to the media.
Southern Miss Head Coach Rick Reeves returns a veteran team, including 11 letterwinners from last year's team that produced 80 percent of the offense and 84 percent of the rebounding power.
Heading the list of returnees are six seniors, Sonja Brown, La'Tasha Sumerall, Dana Jones, Anna Udicova, Kelly Parkerson and Jessica Woods. Brown broke every shot-blocking record at Southern Miss last season, while leading the team in rebounding. She finished second in the nation in blocked shots. Sumerall led the team in scoring and steals.
Joining the seniors will be juniors Tierra Lassister, Marlena Lee and Lana Lewis, along with sophomores Allison Story and Courtney Todaro. Lassister had a breakout season, averaging 8.7 points and 5.5 rebounds, while playing in all 28 games. Lewis led the team in assists and free throw percentage and averaged 6.6 points per game. Lee played significant minutes off the bench for much of the season at the point guard position, averaged just over two points per game. However, Lee also started 13 contests, including 12 of the last 13 games. Todaro played in 22 games and showed continued improvement throughout the season.
Southern Miss opens the regular season Nov. 22, at Hampton, following an exhibition game Nov. 13 against the Premier Players.
