May 28, 2013

Mincey adds five to program for 2013

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head women’s basketball coach Mike Mincey announced the signing of four native Tennesseans and one Pennsylvanian to the Eagles’ women’s basketball program Tuesday.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head women's basketball coach Mike Mincey announced the signing of four native Tennesseans and one Pennsylvanian to the Eagles' women's basketball program Tuesday.

Kailyn Brooks (Lafayette, Tenn.), Kaitlyn Cupples (Clinton, Tenn.) join Carson-Newman out of high school, while Taylor Peterson (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.), Whitney Kyle (Jefferson City, Tenn.) and Jasmine Poole (Harrisburg, Pa.) transfer to Mossy Creek from Palm Beach Atlantic, Morehead State and Arkansas Tech, respectively.

They join center Jassmine Franklin (Lexington, Ky.), and guard Katie Stubblefield (Alcoa, Tenn.) who signed national letters of intent to play for the Lady Eagles during the early signing period.

"This whole group fits our coaching staff, the returnees that we have coming back and Carson-Newman as a whole," Mincey said. "They're all good students who take care of business on and off the court and I'm looking forward to them getting here in August."

Whitney Kyle: Kyle spent two years as an Eagle at Morehead State before making the trek back to her hometown. While at MSU, she played in 46 games, starting 17. In her sophomore season, she averaged 1.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per outing. She turned in a season best six-point performance against Kentucky and a career best seven rebounds on two occasions in a week – against East Tennessee State on Dec. 2 and Ohio Dec. 9.

Kyle's career high for points came in her freshman year at MSU when she scored nine against Wright State. She also dished out a career high four assists against Xavier.

"Whitney's one of those that we offered out of high school," Mincey said. "At 5-11 she can play multiple positions for us. Her IQ alone will add another dimension to our team, plus her ability to coach herself."

A former Jefferson County Patriot, Kyle graduated with current Eagle Lacy Miller. As a senior at JCHS, she nearly averaged a double double with 10.1 points and 9.0 rebounds a contest. Kyle also averaged five assists per game in her final year of high school. As a junior, Kyle averaged 9.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists.

Kyle helped lead her AAU team, the Tennessee Flight, to a Nike National Tournament championship and the Dallas Super 64 event in 2010. The Flight was ranked fifth in the nation in back to back years and won the state tournament in 2007 and 2009.

Kyle also lettered two years in volleyball. Her older sister Ashley was a four-year player for C-N.

Taylor Peterson: Peterson makes her way back to the Volunteer State after playing her freshman season with Palm Beach Atlantic.

She averaged 8.8 points and 4.1 boards a game for the Sailfish while starting 24 of PBA's 25 games. She put in a career high 19 points in a game at Shaw. That contest finished off a three-game stretch where Peterson led Palm Beach Atlantic in scoring each game.

"She's a 5-10 shooting guard who can create off the dribble," Mincey said. "Her experience will be valuable coming in with the skill set that she has."

At Wilson Central High School, she landed on all-district, all-region and all-tournament teams en route to being named the Wildcats' Athlete of the Year. She scored more than 1,000 points in her high school career and participated in the TCAT East-West All-Star Game.

Peterson graduated high school with honors and is majoring in athletic training at Carson-Newman. She is the daughter of Tim and Carrie Peterson.

Kaitlyn Cupples: A Clinton, Tenn.-native, Cupples was a two sport star at Anderson County. Cupples scored 1,630 points and grabbed 1,021 rebounds with the Mavericks. She also added 171 blocks and 133 assists for her high school career.

Cupples was a state finalist for Wendy's High School Heisman and earned all-district honors all four years of her high school career. She was a two-time all-region pick, three-time all-district tournament selection and the MVP for her district in her senior year.

"I saw her play," Mincey said. "And what struck me was just how hard she played. She's another local product from the Knoxville area who I believe will be successful here."

Cupples also starred for the Mavericks' volleyball program, averaging more than 240 kills a year over the course of her high school career. She garnered all-state, all-region, all-district and all-tournament honors as a volleyball player.

Kailyn Brooks: A four-year player from Lafayette, Tenn. at Macon County High School, Brooks was an four-time all-district selection, a three-time all-district tournament selection, two-time all-region pick. She earned all-state honors her senior season.

"We saw her in the state tournament and were really impressed with her," Mincey said. "She brought so many things to the table that we just couldn't pass up on. She's a point guard who has an ability to score."

Brooks helped lead the Tigrettes to three District 9-AA championships, a pair of Region 5-AA championships and a pair of Sub-State championships. Brooks saw the Tigrettes finish as the 2A state runners-up twice in her high school career.

Jasmine Poole: A 5-10 post who transfers to Carson-Newman for her senior season from Arkansas Tech. The former Golden Sun started 13 of the 26 games in which she played. Poole averaged 8.1 points and 5.1 rebounds a game for ATU. She led the Golden Suns with 2.8 offensive boards a contest en route to helping her team to a GAC regular season championship.

"That's one thing about her, she's won title everywhere," Mincey said. "She's a different post than what we've had. She can bang inside and score with her back to the basket."

Prior to Arkansas State, she played for Cal Cochran at Dayton State. The team's MVP in 2010, she helped lead her team to conference championships in 2010 and 2011. Poole garnered first team all-conference nods in both her years at Dayton State.

In high school, Poole helped Harrisburg to a district championship in 2007. She was named MVP three years in a row from 2007-2009.

-CN-