UTC’s Jasmine Joyner dribbles past Furman’s Kaitlyn Duncan during a Southern Conference game at McKenzie Arena last season. Joyner is among the Mocs seniors who begin preparation for their final season today.Jasmine Joyner remembers her first University of Tennessee at Chattanooga basketball practice. Joyner recalls going up against Ashlyn Dewart and Faith Dupree, Mocs seniors at the time, and realizing she was no longer in Southhaven, Miss.
“I knew it was going to be a lot tougher,” she said.
Three seasons later, Joyner is the team’s most experienced member, a three-year starter for the Mocs, who begin the quest for their fifth consecutive Southern Conference championship today with the team’s first practice at the Chattem Practice Facility.
“It’s definitely flown by quick,” said Joyner, the school’s all-time record holder in blocked shots (314). “I can’t believe I’m a senior.”
She came in with five other freshmen – Ansley Chilton, Aryanna Gilbert, Whitney Hartlage, Moses Johnson and Chelsey Shumpert – but only Johnson remains. Injuries caused Chilton, Gilbert and Shumpert to redshirt during their time at UTC, meaning they’ll be back next season, while Hartlage transferred.
Queen Alford and Sydney Vanlandingham transferred in along the way and join Johnson and Joyner as seniors this season.
Alford, the team’s leading scorer in conference play last season, said the team has embraced the high expectations that come with a lot of experience on the roster. The Mocs return four starters plus Shumpert, who played in only three games last season.
In addition, Johnson, Vanlandingham, Chilton and Nakeia Burks return with an additional season under their belt, while versatile Clemson transfer Shelbie Davenport should add to the rotation.
“I think our expectations are high every year,” Joyner said. “This year, they’re a little bit higher because we have seniors and we’re an older team.”
The team’s schedule begins with nine games in November alone, with trips to Rutgers; Louisville for a three-game tournament; Springfield, Mass.; and the University of Connecticut, the four-time reigning national champion.
“The tournament is going to be fun,” Joyner said. “There’s going to be lots of competition, but we can make some things happen. We’re really looking forward to it.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.