DATE: October 8, 2001
CONTACT: Calvin Burns, 901/333-5338 or Keith
Gentry, 901/333-4114
Lady Basketball Saluqis Begin 2001-2002 Season
Nov. 2;
Set to Follow-up on Last Season's Historic Campaign
The start of the 2001-2002 basketball season for
the Lady Saluqis of Southwest Tennessee Community College is just three
weeks away. Andrea Martre, women's head basketball coach at STCC, said
she is determined to build on the momentum that was gained from last
season's historic campaign. The Lady Saluqis finished the 2000-2001
season with an impressive 22-9 record.
Both the women and men Saluqis ended last season
by competing for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)
Division I National Championship. They earned the right to play for the
NJCAA national crown by winning the Tennessee Junior/Community College
Athletic Association (TJCCAA) Region VII Tournament. This was the first
time in the 33-year history of the TJCCAA that the women's and men's
titles were won by the same college during the same season. It was Coach
Martre's first trip to the NJCAA.
Martre, last year's NJCAA Divisional Coach of the
Year, has a 78-59 career record with the Saluqis. She and her hustling
team will tip off this season's play Friday, November 2, against Roane
State Community College in Harriman, Tennessee.
With four returning players, including three
starters, the Saluqis are focused on having another 20-win season,
Martre said. She added that there are several talented freshman and
transfer students who will be playing for the Saluqis this season.
"The talent is here to have another banner
season," Martre said. "Several players will have to step up to
replace our players who graduated. I feel real good about this group. I
am confident that they will make the effort to meet the challenges
ahead."
The returning veterans include Torre Thomas,
Samika Thompson and Marsheka Suttles. Thomas and Suttles are standouts
at both guard positions. Thompson puts in solid play at the forward and
center positions.
Some freshman and transfer players who are
expected to have an immediate impact are Tenesha Gaither, Christol
McClain, Shunta Craig, Latosha Bailey and Larica Seals.
