Brooke McKinnonA repeat run to the semifinals of the NAIA Division I basketball tournament will be a tough task for the Lee University women’s team, but the Lady Flames remain dangerous even with four freshmen in key roles.
For seniors Brooke McKinnon and Kayla Carlisle, though, this year is it. It’s the fourth time for both to be at Jackson, Tenn., for the national tournament, although Carlisle’s first two seasons were with Berry College.
The Lee men made the quarterfinals last year and return to Kansas City, Mo., with a chance to go further – especially if they can keep turnovers to a minimum. The Flames (22-8) begin play at 3:15 p.m. EDT Wednesday against Columbia (26-5) of Missouri, which edged them in the first round two years ago and went on to finish second.
The Lady Flames (25-6) open at 11:15 a.m. EDT Wednesday against Xavier (26-6) from New Orleans, which beat them 59-48 on Dec. 6 as Lee’s third tough game in four days.
“Obviously we want to go out with a national championship. That’s what we’ve worked for all season,” said McKinnon, the 5-foot-6 guard from Tellico Plains who has averaged 17.7 points a game and was the co-player of the year in the Southern States Athletic Conference. “But I’m excited just to be here again, and I think all the girls are excited and have come to play. It’s the best time of year for me.”