Tech women's basketball seniors reflect on successful careers
From late October to early April, the basketball season is a long journey. Over that stretch, triumphant moments endure, adversity becomes a teacher, and everything builds toward the ultimate goal — raising a championship trophy and cutting down the nets. As Tennessee Tech approaches its final home game of the season, it’s a bittersweet moment. There is still more basketball to be played and postseason play to strive for, but it is also a time of reflection as the seniors look back on the sunset of their collegiate careers.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
15 | 23 | 20 | 12 | 70 |
|
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19 | 7 | 17 | 14 | 57 |
Team Stats
Lindenwood
| Game Statistics | Lindenwood | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (28-51) | (20-58) |
| Field Goal % | 54.9% | 34.5% |
| Rebounds | 32 | 32 |
| Assists | 12 | 9 |
| Turnovers | 20 | 19 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 17 | 14 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 4 | 8 |
| Pts in the Paint | 34 | 24 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 8 | 10 |
| Bench Pts | 12 | 21 |
From late October to early April, the basketball season is a long journey. Over that stretch, triumphant moments endure, adversity becomes a teacher, and everything builds toward the ultimate goal — raising a championship trophy and cutting down the nets.
As Tennessee Tech approaches its final home game of the season, it's a bittersweet moment. There is still more basketball to be played and postseason play to strive for, but it is also a time of reflection as the seniors look back on the sunset of their collegiate careers.
Graduate Reagan Hurst and seniors Reghan Grimes, Cam Mathews, and manager Shaela Ledbetter Garrett have each made a meaningful impact on Tennessee Tech Women's Basketball in their own unique ways — some through record-setting performances, some through unwavering leadership and loyalty, and some through selfless service behind the scenes. Together, they embody commitment, resilience, and pride in wearing the Purple and Gold.
For Hurst and Grimes, their legacies are forever connected to the championship banners raised in 2023 and 2025. In an era when roster retention in college athletics is increasingly rare, both have spent their entire collegiate careers at Tennessee Tech. Over the past four seasons for Grimes and five for Hurst, they have played instrumental roles in helping the Golden Eagles achieve seven consecutive winning seasons — with the opportunity to make it eight.
Garrett has been part of that championship journey as well. Over four years as a dedicated manager, she has served as a steady and trusted presence behind the scenes — a contributor to the culture and daily excellence that championship teams require.
While this marks Cam Mathews' first and only season in Cookeville, her impact has been immediate and undeniable. In just one year, she has embraced the program's standards, elevated those around her, and added her own chapter to a tradition built by those before her.
Entering Saturday's game, the 2025-26 senior class has compiled a 100-53 overall record — a .654 winning percentage — along with a 62-28 mark in conference play.
Thus far this season, they have helped Tennessee Tech reach a milestone nearly 50 years in the making — collecting the program's 500th victory inside the Hooper Eblen Center with a 74-62 win over UT Martin. That same stretch extended the Golden Eagles' home winning streak to a program-record 27 consecutive games — the longest run of dominance on Tech's home floor in school history.
And the story is still being written. The senior class will be honored today following their game against Lindenwood, slated for a 1 p.m. start.
Reghan Grimes – Production and Poise
For four seasons, Reghan Grimes has delivered when the moment demanded it most. A proven competitor and steady force, she has helped lead Tennessee Tech back to championship prominence, contributing to two OVC Tournament titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances thus far in her career.
Grimes has cemented her place in the Tennessee Tech record books, currently ranking 20th all-time in scoring with 1,334 points, 13th in rebounds with 684, and 15th in steals with 155. The Nashville native has also totaled 46 blocks and 260 assists while recording eight career double-doubles — including five this season. She scored a season-high 29 points at Eastern Illinois, just shy of tying her career-high of 31 against Tennessee State in 2024.
Averaging 14.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game in her final campaign, Grimes continues to lead the Golden Eagles in multiple statistical categories, setting the tone with her consistency, toughness, and ability to rise in key moments.
Her impact was especially evident last season when she earned First-Team All-OVC and OVC All-Tournament honors while leading Tech through one of the most historic campaigns in program history.
Grimes also led Tech in scoring last season enroute to helping the Golden Eagles finished 26-6 — the most wins in 34 years — and ride a 17-game winning streak to sweep both the OVC regular-season and tournament championships for the first time since 1999-2000, earning the program's 12th NCAA Tournament appearance.
She was a vital component to the 2022-23 Golden Eagle team as a freshman as Grimes helped lead the team to an OVC tournament title over Little Rock and into the NCAA Tournament with a win over Monmouth and a showdown with regional top-seed Indiana.
Grimes' leadership extends far beyond the stat sheet. Serving as President of Tennessee Tech's Student Athlete Advisory Board and earning OVC Community Service Awards for 2024-25, she has represented Tennessee Tech with distinction both on and off the court.
"It's definitely exciting," Grimes said about Senior Day. "It's kind of bittersweet just thinking about the journey and how it's been such a big part of my life, and now it's coming to an end."
Coach Rosamond: "Reghan has been our calm in the storm for four years. When moments get big, when games get tight, she has a steadiness about her that settles everyone around her. Her toughness and consistency helped restore our championship standard, but what I love most about Reghan is the person she is. She leads with humility, she serves others, and that big smile of hers can light up an entire room. She didn't just impact games here — she impacted people, and that's what I'll remember most."
Reagan Hurst – Resilience and Gratitude
Over five seasons in the Purple and Gold, Reagan Hurst has embodied perseverance, toughness, and loyalty. After redshirting during the 2021-22 season, the Upperman High School standout steadily grew into one of Tech's most dynamic and trusted playmakers, helping lead the Golden Eagles to three OVC Tournament championship game appearances in the last four seasons.
As a redshirt freshman, Hurst played a key role in capturing Tech's first OVC Tournament title in 25 years, sparking a postseason run that included the program's first NCAA Tournament victory in 33 years with a First Four win over Monmouth before advancing to face Indiana.
Her journey has not been without adversity. A knee injury sidelined her during the 2024-25 season. Instead of retreating, Hurst attacked her rehabilitation with the same determination that defines her game. She returned for her final season with renewed purpose and is producing some of the best basketball of her career, averaging 12.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. Hurst had a season-high 21 points twice this season against Stephens College and at Morehead State – one point shy of tying her career-best of 22 at Little Rock in 2024.
Entering the week, Hurst has totaled 750 points, 208 rebounds, 163 assists, 86 steals, and 25 blocks — numbers that reflect her all-around impact and versatility.
"I know this has been a long time coming," Hurst said with a smile. "I've been here forever, and there have been great years of seeing the seniors lead. Finally being in that spot has been a great transition."
Coach Rosamond: "Reagan's impact on this team goes far beyond statistics. She's a dynamic playmaker and a fierce competitor, but what defines her is her heart and her gratitude. She has walked through adversity with courage, and instead of allowing it to harden her, it made her more appreciative, more determined, and more selfless. She doesn't take wearing this uniform for granted. She fights for her teammates, and she shows up every single day with a thankful spirit. Reagan has poured five years of loyalty, resilience, and love into this program — and our team is better because of the person she is."
Cam Mathews – A Seamless Fit
Though Cam Mathews has worn the Purple and Gold for just one season, her impact has been immediate and undeniable. Her high motor, relentless energy, and competitive toughness have made her a natural fit within the Golden Eagles' culture.
Averaging 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and nearly 30 minutes per game, Mathews has delivered one of the most productive and consistent seasons of her career. Her presence has added toughness on both ends of the floor, and her willingness to compete on every possession has elevated those around her.
Her breakout moment came in the OVC opener in December.
Mathews erupted for 34 points in a statement performance that propelled Tennessee Tech to its first conference win of the season and firmly announced her presence in the league. The scoring explosion made her the first Golden Eagle to reach the 30-point mark since Reghan Grimes on Jan. 18, 2024, at Tennessee State, and stands as one of the top single-game scoring performances in recent program history.
Her transition into the program was seamless.
"I think the transition was super smooth," Mathews said. "The credit goes to Reghan and Reagan and all the returners for making me feel at home right away. The coaching staff made it super smooth when I got here."
Coach Rosamond: "Cam walked into our program for one season, but she embraced our culture like she had been here for four years. She's an incredible competitor and is willing to do whatever the team needs. But what stands out most is how quickly she chose to invest in this team. She brought energy, toughness, and belief every single day. It takes humility and maturity to step into a new environment and pour into others the way she has. Cam strengthened our locker room, elevated our competitiveness, and truly embodies what it means to be a Golden Eagle."
Shaela Ledbetter Garrett — The Standard Behind the Scenes
Championship programs are built by more than the players in uniform, and for four years, Shaela Ledbetter Garrett has helped set the standard behind the scenes for Tennessee Tech Women's Basketball.
The third member of her family to serve as a manager in the program, Shaela's connection to Tech runs deep. From assisting with operations and practice preparation to managing travel and daily logistics, she has been instrumental in ensuring the team is prepared long before game time.
"I get to lead by example, help with the team's success, and do a lot behind the scenes to make everything as successful as I can," Garrett said. "I just like being part of the team."
For Garrett, the role is more than a responsibility — it's part of her family legacy.
"Of course, there was (brother) Blake, but my uncle, Corey Ledbetter, who was here when Coach Alli (Clark) was here (as a player). It really means a lot, especially with Coach Rosamond. It's a family thing – I've done this for 10 years now from middle school to high school and now college. My uncle won championships, my brother was a part of bringing the teams to where they are today. Now I've been part of two championships here and we're still aiming for the third."
Her work may not appear in the box score, but her commitment, pride, and consistency have helped sustain a championship culture — proving that excellence is built both on the court and behind it.
Coach Rosamond: "Shaela represents the heart of what championship programs are built on. She has served this team with humility, consistency, and pride for four years. What I appreciate most about Shaela is that she never needed the spotlight — she found purpose in helping others shine and has a heart of gold. She helped set the standard behind the scenes every single day, and that kind of selflessness is what sustains winning cultures. Her loyalty, positivity, and servant-leader spirit have left a lasting imprint on me and our program."
And that is the common thread that connects all four — different roles, different journeys, one shared standard. Whether it was delivering in pressure moments, fighting back from injury, stepping into a new locker room and investing immediately, or setting the tone behind the scenes, each has helped build a culture rooted in positive attitude, respect, a relentless mindset, accountability, competitiveness, and a team-first approach.
That culture is what lifted two banners into the rafters of the Hooper Eblen Center — and it is what continues to drive them forward.
"It's really nice to know that no matter how the rest of this year goes, I can say that I have been part of something special throughout my career," Grimes said. "It's awesome to already have two, and I want a chance to play for a third."
Hurst added, "Everywhere you go, you want to leave it better than you found it. That's something Coach Rosamond teaches us, and we take pride in it. To have two banners up there and help give the program its first OVC championships in a few years, I feel like I left it better than I found it. We're still driving for that third one."
As celebrated as Grimes and Hurst have been, they have also earned deep mutual respect.
"Reghan's an amazing player," Hurst said. "She's an amazing person. It's fun, because nobody I came in with is still here. So having her here — somebody who is loyal to the program and completed her four years — has been great. I'm just grateful to end it with her."
Grimes echoed the admiration.
"Reagan's played a lot of different roles for us, and every one has been valuable," she said. "Even during her injury, she was one of our biggest cheerleaders. On the court, she's just been a reliable player. I'm so glad I got to spend these years with her."
So, what has meant the most?
For Hurst, the answer is simple.
"The teammates," she said. "Meeting new people, making new friends and just the experience of being a college athlete. I think everybody should be able to experience that."
Grimes agreed.
"Honestly, outside of basketball, it's getting to know the girls and hang out with them," she said. "This season especially, we had a lot of new faces — getting to build a relationship with Cam has been really nice."
For Mathews, the relationships define everything.
"It's all about the relationships and getting to spend time together away from basketball," she said. "It is so much bigger than just the game. You get to spend time with the people you care about."
As they look ahead, each hopes the next generation carries the lessons forward.
Grimes: "Stick with it. Trust the process. It's not always going to be sun and rainbows. There are going to be ups and downs, but in the end, when you look back on it, it's going to be worth it."
Hurst: "Take it all in — everything the coaches are telling you. It's not just basketball. They're teaching you about life. One day you'll be able to convert that to real life."
Mathews: "Find ways to give to others and take your mind off yourself as much as you can. You're going to go through highs and lows individually, but pouring into your teammates makes it an enjoyable experience and keeps you going."
Garrett: "Keep your head up — always. Everybody's watching you, so lead by example. Don't get discouraged when you make mistakes, because everyone is still learning. You always have to keep a positive mindset. Like Coach Rosamond says in practice, 'You always have to be positive."
And in the end, that may be what defines Hurst, Grimes, Mathews, and Garrett most — not simply the championships won or the banners raised, but the relationships built, the adversity overcome, and the championship standard they strengthened for the Golden Eagles who follow.
