Tennessee Tech women's basketball adds four Golden Eagles
Tennessee Tech head women’s basketball coach Kim Rosamond announced Wednesday morning the addition of four Golden Eagles to the 2017-18 roster: including Kesha Brady, Megan Clark, Riley Masters, and Abby Buckner.
By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—@TTUWBB head coach Kim Rosamond announced Wednesday the addition of four Golden Eagles to the 2017-18 roster: including Kesha Brady, Megan Clark, Riley Masters, and Abby Buckner.
"We are extremely excited to welcome Kesha, Megan, Riley, and Abby to the Tennessee Tech family," Rosamond remarked. "All four are outstanding student-athletes, and all four come from winning high school and travel team programs. The emphasis we put on recruiting locally and within the state of Tennessee is obvious with three of the four being in-state players who chose to stay close to home and wear the Purple and Gold. Each one of these young women will be winners on the court, in the classroom, and in the community."
First, the Golden Eagles welcome Kesha Brady to the lineup. Brady, a La Vergne, Tenn., native will join the Tech team from Smyrna High School.
"Kesha is one of those players that can do it all: she is a true competitor," Rosamond stated. "She can score the ball, shoot the 3, and take you off the dribble and finish at the rim. Not only is she an offensive threat, but also her defensive tenacity may be her greatest strength. She plays in one of the toughest districts in the state of Tennessee and competes against the best night in and night out. She is a tireless worker and loves the game of basketball. She has a big motor and never takes a play off! Kesha is a perfect fit for Tennessee Tech and how we want to play."
While at Smyrna, she received the 2015-16 Daily News Journal All Sports "MVP" Award, and was also named to the 2015-16 All District Girls Basketball 7AAA team. Under the direction of head coach Bud Brandon, Brady averaged 20 points per game her junior season and also joined the prestigious 1,000 point club at her school.
"I chose Tech because I loved the atmosphere and team dynamic," Brady remarked. "I wanted to go somewhere that felt like home and Tech was it. Tech also offers a phenomenal academic program, and that was very important to me when looking at schools. I have developed a good relationship with the coaching staff and have bonded well with the team."
AAU Team: Team B (Brandan) Wright
Academic Honors: BETA club, Drama club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Athletic Honors: Freshman season: Average 10.9 ppg and 6 rpg; Sophomore season: District 7AAA honorable mention; Junior season: District 7AAA second team All-District, 1,000 point club, Daily News Journal All Sports "MVP" award.
Coming all the way from Tampa, Fla., Megan Clark will join the Tennessee Tech team after a four-year career at Freedom High School.
"Megan attended our Elite Camp and caught our eye the first time she stepped foot on the floor," Rosamond stated. "She was the first person on the court to work on her game and the last one to leave. Her work ethic is off the charts, and the time she puts in is reflected in her skill set. Megan can shoot the ball from the outside, attack off the dribble, and has outstanding court vision. She is a strong guard that will be a force in our conference. She understands what it takes to win at a high level, and she will be a huge asset not only on the court but in the locker room."
Under the direction of head coach Laurie Pacholke; Clark's career averages are 10.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Clark helped her team capture a District Championship her sophomore season, while placing as the runner-ups her junior year.
"Everything just felt right when I came to visit Tech," Clark stated. "I just knew this was the place for me."
AAU Team: Tampa Thunder
Academic Honors: Principal Honor Roll.
Athletic Honors: Freshman season: Sixth man award; Sophomore season: District champions, Regional finalist, Heart and Hustle award; Junior season: District runner-up, Regional Qualifier, Heart and Hustle award, Second Team Western Conference.
Not going far from home, Cookeville native Riley Masters will also be joining the Purple and Gold squad in the 2017-18 year.
"Riley is a blue-collar post player that does all the little things. She blocks shots, rebounds and gets on the floor after loose balls," Rosamond said. "She is extremely athletic and has a great frame that will only get stronger at the next level. With a year of strength and conditioning, Riley's best basketball is ahead of her, and I can't wait to watch the player she develops into over the next 4 years. We are excited to have a local player from a top-notch program (Cookeville High) that wanted to stay home and play here at Tennessee Tech. She will represent us with pride on and off the court."
Masters comes to Tech after a four-year career at Cookeville High School where she plays under the helm of head coach Mindy Odom. There, she has tallied 487 points, 348 boards, 29 steals, and 44 blocks. She received All Upper-Cumberland honorable mention her junior season, while also being selected to the All-Region team. She helped lead her team to a district second place finish her junior year.
"I chose Tech because it was not far from home," Masters said. "It is one of the top nursing schools in the country, and has an awesome basketball program. I cannot wait to be a Golden Eagle."
AAU Team: TN Rush and Team Slink
Academic Honors: TSSAA Academic Award, 2014-16 Honor Roll.
Athletic Honors: Freshman season: Most Rebounds, third place District finish, first round of Regionals; Sophomore season: Most Rebounds, third place District finish, second round of Regionals; Junior season: All Upper Cumberland Honorable Mention, All-Region, second place District finish, second round of Regionals.
A Murfreesboro, Tenn., native, Abby Buckner will be another new face to the Golden Eagle family next season.
"I have been fortunate to coach some great shooters, and I have no doubts Abby Buckner will belong in that conversation," Rosamond continued. "Abby is a big, strong guard that is deadly from behind the arc. She has deep, deep range, and she is extremely crafty with the basketball. As good of a shooter as she is, she can also impact the game with her size and rebounding. Abby has a high basketball IQ, and she is a mature leader on and off the court. I love her quiet confidence, and the composure with which she plays. She will definitely be a fan favorite in Cookeville."
A four-year member of the Middle Tennessee Christian School team under the tutelage of head coach Lynn Burkey, Buckner joined the school's 1,000-point club her sophomore year. She averages 16.3 points and six boards per game for her career. Buckner has been three-times named to the All District and All Tournament teams, while also receiving Team MVP accolades each of her three season thus far.
"The players, coaches, Cookeville community, and the Tennessee Tech vision made everything feel at home for me, and that's how I knew I belonged as a Golden Eagle," Buckner stated.
AAU Team: Tennessee Flight
Academic Honors: 2015-16 Principal's list, TSSAA Academic Achievement, Spanish Club president, Mu Alpha Theta, Alpha Delta Kappa Charity Group.
Athletic Honors: Freshman season: All-District, All-Tournament, Team MVP, Region 5 quarterfinals; Sophomore season: All-District, All-Tournament, Team MVP, 1,000 point club, District 9-A runner-up, Region 5 semifinals; Junior season: All-District, All-Tournament, Team MVP, District 9-A runner-up, Region 5 semifinals.
The women's basketball early signing period began today and will run through next Wednesday, Nov. 16. More announcements are expected to be made throughout the week, so continue to check TTUsports.com for more updates.
You can follow the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team online on the TTU Sports and Tennesseee Tech Women's Basketball pages, on Twitter at @TTUGoldenEagles and @TTUWBB, and on Instagram at TTUWBB and TTUGoldenEagles.
