by Erika Thornsberry | Mar 17, 2014 | Sports
For any athlete the day must come when they have to hang up their shoes and say good-bye to the game they love, and for senior basketball players, Jess Reece and O’Neisha Smith, that day came March 11th as the Lady Bisons ended their season in the first round of the Atlantic Sun tournament. Reece and Smith have had two different experiences during their time at Lipscomb. Reece finished her last minutes on the court, but due to double knee surgeries Smith was unable to play her senior year. Stepping back and reflecting on their four years as student athletes, they say they have learned a lot and made a lot of memories along the way. “One thing I will take from playing college basketball would be the importance of being positive and always working hard no matter what struggles you may encounter,” Reece said. “I think God made me realize that although I do love the game, it is just that, a game. He brought me to a place where I can glorify him through playing.” Both Reece and Smith traveled out of their home states to go to college. Being away from their hometown family and friends, they quickly learned to bond with teammates. “As far as memories go, I have too many to count. Most of them are not from games though, but rather bus rides and traveling and hanging out with my teammates,” Reece said. “I’ve made some amazing friends through playing and have met some great people.” “My favorite memory was freshman year when we traveled to Colorado to play Air Force,” Smith said....
by Carter Sanderson | Jul 19, 2013 | Sports
Since the close of last season, the Lady Bisons basketball team has worked diligently to improve the program with a batch of fresh faces both on the court and on the sideline. Greg Brown, in his second year as the women’s head coach, has made numerous changes to the roster by letting some people go and signing several true freshman, as well as commit Chandler Cooper, a transfer from the University of Florida. “Chandler was a Top 50 kid coming out of high school,” Brown said. “She just brings a different level of competitiveness and a different level of skills.” Cooper’s parents went to Lipscomb, and her father played for the Bisons during his time as a student. The team has spent a good deal of time together over the summer months. “The summer rule has been great for us,” Brown said. “Being able to work out our players was huge. They were able to hear our voice and it also allowed them to be around each other.” The NCAA has made a new rule allowing coaches to spend time and coach their players during the summer. They have also made it acceptable for every player to work summer camps. “Camp has helped our players see the different roles, and we were able to teach the culture,” Brown said. “I can’t imagine getting into this in August.” Despite all the changes this program is going through, senior Jess Reece, one of the few returners for the Bisons, will be a familiar face to all. Being one of only two players on the current roster that has been here since...
