Before each game of the 2015-16 USC Aiken women's basketball season, the sports information office will produce game notes.
Experience Is Key
For the past two seasons, the USC Aiken women's basketball program has had some of the youngest teams not only in the region, but nationally. The last two years, the squads combined for just three seniors on the roster. This season, head coach Mike Brandt has five seniors, five juniors, a sophomore, a redshirt-freshman and a pair of freshmen on the squad. With nine returning upperclassmen (one junior is a transfer), the team should be one of the most experienced squads in the Southeast Region.
Cross-Country Trip
The USC Aiken women's basketball team will make the trek to Colorado for a pair of exhibition games as the squad battles with Colorado State and Colorado. It marks the first time that senior Kassy Johannsen will get to play in front of her friends and family. Johannsen is a native of Broomfield, Colo. The pair of contests also marks a return trip to head coach Mike Brandt and assistant coach Joanna Reitz's home state.
First Time For Everything
This season, junior Jasmine Coach will embark on a first for her. When the team hits the road to the airport to take on Colorado State and Colorado, it marks the first time in Coach's life that she will have boarded an airplane.
Preseason Power
The USC Aiken women's basketball team finished strong last season with an 18-12 record despite a depleted bench due to injuries. Head coach Mike Brandt's team finished second in the PBC East and narrowly missed out on an NCAA Tournament berth. The coaches around the league recognized the talent returning and voted the Pacers third in the PBC Preseason Poll. After the pair of exhibition games, USC Aiken opens its season with a pair of neutral-site contests at Lander as the team takes on Carson-Newman and Lincoln Memorial Nov. 13-14.
E.T. Plays Out Of This World
Sophomore Emry Tsitouris had one of the best freshman seasons in recent Peach Belt Conference history. She was tabbed the PBC Freshman of the Year and was a third-team all-conference selection. Tsitouris played in all 30 games, earning 24 starts. She poured in 11.5 points and 9.0 rebounds a game in just 24.6 minutes a night. Looking at the average per 40 minutes of playing time, Tsitouris would have accounted for 18.7 points and 14.7 boards a contest.
iCarly Isn't Just A TV Show
Junior Carly Gilreath, who is known for her play on the court as much as her accent, has progressed heavily during her time with the Pacers. As a freshman, Gilreath saw action in 29 games, earning 11.4 minutes per contest. That year, she netted two points a game. Last season, Gilreath thrived after the injury bug hit the team. For the season, she accounted for 4.2 points per game. However, looking at points per 40 minutes, Gilreath would have averaged 11.7 points a night.
Welcoming The Newcomers
Head coach Mike Brandt's team has a wealth of returners to the line-up, but he welcomed four newcomers to the squad this season. Junior transfer Rachelle "Rocky" Aupont, redshirt-freshman Sade Johnson and rookies Baylea Loven and Aubrey Lukacsko look to make an impact on the team this season.
Returning From Injury
Last season, head coach Mike Brandt's team was hit with the injury bug, losing Mariah Durian and Katelyn Grisillo to season-ending injuries. However, it did not deter the squad as it finished second in the PBC East, secured a spot in the PBC semifinals and narrowly missed out on an NCAA Tournament berth. This season, Brandt welcomes both starters back to the fold, in addition to sophomore Emry Tsitouris, who missed time during preseason due to an injury.
From The Land Down Under
Junior Kate Duff has a valuable part of the USC Aiken program the last two seasons. She has played in every game since her arrival from Perth, Australia, prior to the 2013-14 campaign. For her career, Duff accounts for 5.8 points per game and dishes out 1.7 assists per night. Duff has been solid on the defensive end of the court, registering 1.4 steals per game over her first two seasons.
The Next Rocky
Head coach Mike Brandt made a strong push for combo-standout Rachelle Aupont and inked her over the summer. Aupont, who goes by "Rocky" attended Eastern Florida State College for two years. While there, she averaged a double-double. Aupont was a first-team all-conference selection and tallied 717 points to go along with 589 rebounds.
On The Cusp
Head coach Mike Brandt is well-known throughout the country for his team's gritty play. During the course of his career, Brandt has amassed 498 victories, standing just two from 500. He is also just five wins away from 250 at USC Aiken as he is currently 245-147 with the Pacers.
Complete Notes
*Due to the exhibition games being on back-to-back days, there will only be one set of notes for the road trip.
