September 3, 2008
Journal Entry #1
Lady Buccaneer Fans,
It is hard to believe summer is over and classes for the 2008-09 academic year have begun. The players moved in the second-to-last week of August, which was just in time to help with the Freshman Preview Move-In Day. All the coaches and players rolled up their sleeves and carried boxes, luggage, and even refrigerators into the freshmen dorms. This was a great way to meet the incoming class and welcome them to ETSU. This was also an opportunity to recruit future Lady Buccaneer fans as well.
Following the move-in day festivities, the team was eager to hit the court for a friendly game of pick-up. I know the returning players were excited to see what the rookies could do on the court. I am eager to see them as well, but the NCAA will not allow me to do that yet.
On Friday morning, August 22, we had our first team gathering. This short meeting was an official welcome back to some as well as welcoming the newcomers to the Lady Buccaneer family. I am extremely excited about my new student-athletes, but in addition to the new players, I also have two new assistant coaches on my staff this season. New players and new coaches always bring new energy and enthusiasm to the program.
My new assistants have already hit the ground running. Kelvin Long was a member of my staff last year as filled the reigns of a graduate manager. Coach Long joined my staff full-time just in time to hit the road for July recruiting – which he did a great job fulfilling those duties. Kelvin was a part of our history making team last season, so he knows exactly what type of player it takes to be successful at ETSU. Some of his other responsibilities will be team travel, scouting opponents, and on the floor coaching – with focus on guard play.
Josh Wick is the newest addition to my staff as he is finishing his third week in Johnson City. Josh comes to ETSU from UNLV and North Carolina. Wick will bring fresh, new ideas to the program; having been apart of a top-10 program with the Tar Heels. Coach Wick will have the biggest adjustment, because he has to learn our system; while getting to know the players and learn about all the great things ETSU and Johnson City have to offer. His role on the staff will be academic liaison, film exchange, scouting opponents, and the on the court coaching will emphasize on our perimeter players.
I also want to take a moment to introduce our new players. I am extremely excited about these young ladies. I must first talk about our local prep standout, Natalie Pickwell. Natalie will have some big shoes to fill, as she will be asked to step in and be the three-point shooter Michele DeVault was during her four-year playing career.
Gwen Washington, a 5-11 small forward from Manassas, Va., has a good eye for the game and does a tremendous job getting her teammates involved. She handles the ball extremely well and has an excellent mid-range game.
Our other freshman, Natasha Dixon, is the first player I have ever coached from Brooklyn, N.Y. Tasha is a shooter and playmaker, and I am expecting her to come in and give us depth at the two-guard position.
Rounding out the class is, Shannon White, a junior college transfer that will have three years of eligibility remaining. Shannon is very athletic and brings a lot of energy to the team. She is a player that coaches love, because she will do whatever it takes to get the job done.
This is just a highlight of what these young ladies will bring to the team. With practice and Division I experience – the best is yet to come.
I could go on and on about this team because it is so easy to talk about something that you believe in, but I will end this journal for now and share more with you the next time.
Coach Kemp
