Lady Topper Hoops: Lady Tops Look to Make a Statement vs. Union University
Normally, an exhibition game is just a chance to work out some kinks and get ready for the non-conference portion of the season. After…
Normally, an exhibition game is just a chance to work out some kinks and get ready for the non-conference portion of the season. After Thursday’s exhibition against Union University (Tennessee), the Western Kentucky Lady Toppers play (potentially) four Power 5 schools in a row (including powerhouse Notre Dame in Bowling Green on November 14). They play nine of their 13 non-conference games away from home.
But, the Lady Toppers have set a high bar for themselves since Michelle Clark-Heard took over the program. March 8, 2012 was a dark day in Lady Topper history, when WKU Head Coach Mary Taylor Cowles was relieved of her duties after the Lady Toppers didn’t reach double digits in wins for the first time in program history. Days later, Coach Heard was hired, and the Lady Toppers immediately acted like champions.
WKU has since made a postseason tournament each year, including winning last season’s Conference USA Championship and nearly defeating Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament in Lexington. Each year, the Lady Toppers have seen key graduates and transfers leaving The Hill for various reasons.
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It was more of the same at the end of the 2016–17, but there aren’t as many question marks for the Lady Toppers heading into the 2017–18. Despite losing Ima Akpan, Micah Jones and Kendall Noble, a couple of transfers, and a retirement from basketball due to lingering injuries (Kyvin Goodin-Rogers), the Lady Toppers return plenty of firepower.
Lone seniors Tashia Brown and Ivy Brown have already combined for nearly 2,200 points in their careers. Sidnee Bopp exploded onto the scene late last season. Whitney Creech is the all-time scoring leader in Kentucky high school basketball history, boys or girls. Returners Dee Givens, Kayla Smith, and Malaka Frank have all shown flashes of excellence.
That is a solid rotation in and of itself, but the newcomers provide an array of weapons in Michelle Clark-Heard’s arsenal. Sherry Porter looks like she will start on Thursday. Raneem Elgedawy is 6'4" and is good on the low block. Nichel Tampa and Terri Smith look like they could play significant roles in their freshman campaigns, as well.
Finally, the Lady Toppers have some size at multiple positions.
Division II Union University is a Christian liberal arts university in Jackson, Tennessee, with an enrollment just north of 2,200 students. They finished 17–12 last season, losing in the first round of the Gulf South Conference Championships as a six seed.
According to their website, Union returns two starters and three more significant contributors, including former Lady Topper Bria Gaines, who started 11 games. They also have a transfer from Chattanooga, Chelsey Shumpert, who was the all-time leading scorer in Kentucky high school basketball before WKU’s Whitney Creech broke her records.
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Surely the Lady Toppers beat an average Division II school. However, they have talented players on their roster. Bria Gaines probably would have eventually started at WKU if she would have stayed. Chelsey Shumpert was an all-conference player each of her years at Chattanooga. Jada Smith, Jada Perkins, and Bria Gaines all averaged double digits last year.
This game is all about the Lady Toppers. They need to come out and make a statement to Conference USA, the fan base, and the world of women’s basketball. If you’re a WKU fan, you want an impressive 40 point blowout, or you will leave unsure of the 2017–18 edition of the Lady Toppers.
Game information:
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Location: Diddle Arena; Bowling Green Kenucky
TV: CUSA.tv (Audio only feed — $)
Radio: 102.7 FM and 1450 AM in Bowling Green (the WKU debut for new Lady Topper play-by-play man Jevin Redman)