Nov. 7, 2006
Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina women’s basketball team takes to the court for the first time when it hosts Lake Truck in an exhibition game set to tip off at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Colonial Center. Wednesday’s game marks the lone exhibition tilt for the Gamecocks in 2006-07.
South Carolina returns its entire starting five from last year’s team that compiled a 17-12 overall record and a 7-7 mark in Southeastern Conference play. Tenth-year Head Coach Susan Walvius welcomes back 12 letterwinners from last year’s squad that set new school records for blocked shots and field goal percentage defense and ranked among the top 25 nationally in scoring defense.
Only one new face will take the court for the Gamecocks, and that is Newark, N.J., freshman Kellindra Zackery. Zackery, who will likely see action in a reserve capacity behind preseason second-team all-SEC performer Melanie Johnson, is a physical presence who likes to mix it up underneath.
The only injury casualty of the preseason for the Gamecocks came on the first day of practice, when freshman point guard Lauren Falohun was lost for the season with a knee injury.
Formerly known as Everyone’s Internet, Lake Truck’s roster includes a handful of familiar names, led by former UCLA All-American Nikki Blue, now a member of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. Former Tennessee outside threat Brittany Jackson joins 2006 Clemson graduate Tasha Phillips and former Ole Miss center Amber Watts as recent Carolina opponents. Former LSU forward Ke-Ke Tardy rounds out the list of recent SEC players who will suit up for Lake Truck in the exhibition. Wednesday’s game marks the last stop on Lake Truck’s 10-game exhibition tour. The squad is 3-5 through its first eight games and is in Baton Rouge facing LSU tonight. Lake Truck’s losses have come to Oklahoma, Maryland, George Washington, TCU and SMU, with its wins over Houston, Duquesne and Rice.
Following Wednesday’s exhibition, the Gamecocks open the regular season at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Colonial Center when they host East Tennessee State.
