November 18, 2013

Lady Eagles Sign Three Players for 2014-15 Season

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head women’s basketball coach Mike Mincey has signed three student athletes, all from East Tennessee, for the 2014-15 season of Lady Eagles basketball. Guard Kayla Newman (Alcoa, Tenn.), post Jessica (Jecca) Simerly (Talbott, Tenn.), and forward Allison Hodge (Blaine, Tenn.) have signed national letters of intent to play for the Lady Eagles during the early signing period.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head women's basketball coach Mike Mincey has signed three student athletes, all from East Tennessee, for the 2014-15 season of Lady Eagles basketball.

Guard Kayla Newman (Alcoa, Tenn.), post Jessica (Jecca) Simerly (Talbott, Tenn.), and forward Allison Hodge (Blaine, Tenn.) have signed national letters of intent to play for the Lady Eagles during the early signing period.

"We're really excited about this signing class," Mincey said. "I think we addressed some needs and they are all coming from winning programs with great coaches. Fulfilling our needs with players so close to Carson-Newman is a real plus for our program and school. All three have high basketball IQ's, all three are true competitors and all three are excellent students."

Kayla Newman – 5-8 – G - Alcoa, Tenn. (Alcoa High School)

Newman is finishing her senior basketball season at Alcoa High School in Alcoa, Tenn., where she is coached by Tonia Johnson. She has led Alcoa in assists her first three seasons, steals in her sophomore and junior years, and last season led the Tornadoes in blocks. Among her honors are: 2011, 2012, 2013 District 4-AA Girls All Tournament Team 2012, 2013 District 4-AA All District First Team 2011, 2012, 2013 All Blount County Team 2011 - All-Star Team Selection - Atlanta Summer Slam NCAA Showcase (Class 2014) 2011 District 4-AA Newcomer of the Year 2011 District 4-AA All District Third Team 2010 CAREacter "STAR Athlete" Program Award.

Newman is a member of the National Honors Society and has received the Daughters of the American Revolution Award. She chose Carson-Newman because of its campus and the women's basketball program.

Mincey on Newman:

"We've been recruiting Kayla since her sophomore year and feel fortunate to get her. She plays with a lot of intensity and is very physical from her point guard spot. Kayla has all the intangibles a coach would want in a point guard and can do just about everything well. In addition to being a solid player on the floor she will do equally as well in the classroom making her a great fit for our program.

Jecca Simerly – 6-0 – Post – Talbott, Tenn. (Morristown West High School)

Simerly is finishing her senior season at Morristown West High School in Morristown, Tenn., where she plays volleyball and basketball. She is coached in basketball by Johnny Gaylon. Simerly was an All-Conference selection in her sophomore and junior seasons, made the All-Tournament teams in 2012 and 2013 as well and was All-Conference in volleyball as a senior. In her junior season she led the Trojans in rebounds and blocks. She has been honored as a Trojan Athletic Scholar in 2013, and is a member of the Beta Club who will graduate with honors from Morristown West.

Her father, Michael Simerly, played football at Carson-Newman and she chose to sign with the Lady Eagles because Carson-Newman is a Christian university that is close to home as well as Carson-Newman having a well-respected women's basketball program and coaching staff.

Mincey on Simerly:

"One of the hardest positions for us to cover in recruiting at the Division II level is solid post players that have some size. What makes it even better is that we're getting Jecca from right up the road at Morristown West, she'll be the first Lady Trojan we've had in awhile. She's very physical and will battle anyone. Jecca has nice touch around the rim and is a good passer. One aspect I like the most is her ability to run up and down the floor for extended periods of time without tiring out. Jecca is a great student and her intelligence also carries over to the basketball floor.

Allison Hodge – F – 5-11 – Blaine, Tenn. (Grainger High School)

Hodge is finishing her senior season at Grainger High School in Rutledge, Tenn., where she plays volleyball, softball, and basketball. She is coached in basketball by Justin Combs. In her junior season she averaged 17.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocked shots per game, being the district leader in all three categories. She collected a total of 1,391 points through her junior year at Grainger.

Her basketball honors include: Freshman/2011) Newcomer of the year, All-Tournament, All-District, All-Lakeway Rising Star. (Sophomore/2012) All-District, All-Tournament, All-Region, All-Lakeway. (Junior/2013) All-District, District Player of the Year, All-Tournament, Tournament MVP, All-Region, All-State, All-Lakeway of Player of the Year.

She has won the Grainger Scholastic Award in basketball, softball, and volleyball in 2011 and 2012, the Citizenship Award in 2011 and 2013, and is a member of the Beta Club.

Hodge comes from an athletic family, with cousin Megan McBee playing basketball at Carson-Newman, cousin Chase McBee playing football at Carson-Newman, cousin Skylar McBee playing basketball at Tennessee, cousin Jeremy Cabbage playing baseball at Tennessee, and uncle John Cabbage playing football at Carson-Newman. Hodge chose to come to Carson-Newman because of the strong nursing program and felt God led her in this direction, making Carson-Newman a good fit for her.

Mincey on Hodge:

"Allison is a proven scorer and rebounder at the high school level and someone we think can come in here and do the same at the college level. We'll use her primarily at the 'four' but we'll also give her an opportunity to get out on the perimeter and play the 'three.' Like the other two signees, Allison is a great student, knows the game and plays hard. Allison has won a ton of ballgames at Grainger and winning is all she knows. Allison is just a good all-around athlete that excels in every sport she plays."