Season Outlook

The squad will have a deep bench with eleven returning players, who should know what to expect to make a run at another successful season and emerge into the 2012 NAIA national tournament.  The Lady Tigers will once again compete as an NAIA Division One Independent member of the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) and will face a very challenging schedule with tough NAIA and NCAA competition. 


Returning for her final season is 5’11” forward RaShonda Mayfield (Cleveland, NC/West Rowan HS/Livingstone College). Mayfield made the 2011 All-A.I.I. and All-tournament teams averaging just over 10 points and six rebounds per game.  She was named the A.I.I. tournament Most Outstanding Player as she led Voorhees College to a 65-52 victory over Talladega College in 2011 title game. 

The other senior making an impact is defensive specialist Kenyetta Thrower (5’9”, forward, Orangeburg, SC/Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS).  Thrower should see plenty of playing time at the wing position. 

The junior class will feature Monieke Woods (5’10”, forward, Sumter, SC), Davieena Kemp (5’3”, guard, Orangeburg, SC/Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS), Shaquetta Cooper (5’9”, guard/forward, Lake City, SC) and All-A.I.I. and All-tournament Keirra Patterson (5’4”, guard, Darlington, SC).  All have seen significant action in past seasons coming off the bench.  Woods will again be counted on for her athletic ability and defensive presence in the post.  Patterson led the team in scoring (13.1 ppg) and was one of the top three-point specialists in the nation.  Kemp will primarily be at the point guard position and averaged double figures in scoring in the three games started last season, and Cooper will be returning to action after sitting out last season with an injury. 

As the team’s leading rebounder (6.5 rebounds per game) and third returning scorer at 10.5 ppg shooting a team high 54% from the field, Keia Tillman (5’10”, Valdosta, GA/Lowndes HS) will return at the post along with sophomores Brittany Hollin (5’11”, forward/center, Columbia, SC/Ridge View HS) and Amber Johnson (5’10”, forward, Hardeeville, SC).  Transfer Courtney McDuffie (5’11, forward, Chattanooga, TN; Chattanooga State Community College/Brainerd HS) will be counted on to bring some needed experience and leadership.  The other members of the team are sophomores Jessica Davis (5’6”, guard, Waynesboro, GA/Burke County HS), Shaniqua Bennett (5’7”, guard, Darlington, SC), Lauren Green (5’5” guard, Florence, SC/Wilson HS) and redshirt freshmen 5’9” forward Jasmine Parker-Gant (Nashville, TN/Whites Creek HS).

Newcomers are freshmen Rachel Blocker (5’2”, guard, Orangeburg, SC/Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS), Kritofia Smart (5’7, guard, Bamberg, SC/Bamerg-Erhardt HS), Lasherria Sprinkle (5’10, post, Orangeburg, SC/Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS) and transfer sophomore Latrease Smith (5’9, forward, Hampton, SC/Wade Hampton HS).  Smith should be ready in January along with returning sophomore Tyesha Mott (5’9” forward, Greenville, SC/Southside HS) and junior Antonia Robinson (5’8", guard, Charleston, SC/West Ashley HS).  Robinson was a starter during the 2009-2010 season.  Smart and Zandreal Blakely (5’5” guard, Decatur, GA/South Georgia Technical College/Martin Luther King, Jr. HS) will sit out this season.