Basketball Looks To Experience in 2015-16

The Brenau basketball team enters the new season with optimism as the squad returns a strong core of players to the 2015-16 slate.

Leading the charge is two-year starter and 2015 second team all-SSAC selection Kalin Williams. Williams, who averaged a team high 13.1 ppg and 6.3 rebounds last year, will continue to anchor both ends of the floor for the Golden Tigers.

2015 SSAC All-Freshman selection Autumn Dodson also hopes to build off of her strong inaugural campaign. Dodson, who was second on the team in scoring at 9.9 ppg, finished second in the 2015 SSAC All-Freshman voting and will provide strong shooting ability to the squad.

Two other front court starters return as both Briah Woods and Nekeia Brown look to build off of their 2014-15 seasons. Woods, a transfer from Clayton State, averaged 9.3 ppg and 5.8 rpg in her first season as a Golden Tiger and played very well in the second half. Brown, a two-year starter in the post, produced career highs of 7 ppg and 7 rpg in only 18 minutes of play.

The Golden Tigers also get a boost in their backcourt as guards Dominique Patrick and Quinnesha Turner return from season-ending injuries. Patrick, who played in only four games last season, provides scoring and is an excellent floor general. Turner, who suffered a knee injury in the 2014-15 preseason, is a strong penetrator and defender and rounds out the Golden Tigers' backcourt.

Also returning to the squad are five other experienced players, including seniors Anikee Combee, Myka Lightfoot, Jasmine Williams and Claire Zimmerman and juniors Makayla Angel and Maegan Kenimer. Combee played in all 28 games last season, while the sharpshooting Zimmerman is a career 36% three-point shooter. Angel, Lightfoot and Williams each battled injuries in 2014, but provide strong leadership and depth to the team. Kenimer, a Gainesville native, hopes to build on her 2014 season, which included a career-high 15 point game in a win over Auburn-Montgomery University.

Newcomers to the team include transfers Sydney Haas and Skye Overby and freshman guards Kaylyn Brooks, Kensi Gillespie and Lia Thomas.

"This team has great chemistry and depth," said head coach Kris Stewart. "Although we struggled through 2014-15 with so many injuries, we competed and gained valuable experience. I believe that we have a chance for an excellent season."

"The Southern States Athletic Conference is perhaps the toughest in the NAIA and we have to use our experience and depth to compete hard every single night."

Brenau tips off the regular season at home against Ave Maria (Fla.) University on Thursday at 6 pm in the first of six straight home games.