Story by Gage Johnson
Senior writer
The Murray State women’s basketball team held its first official practice of the 2018-19 season on Wednesday, Sept. 26.
“I’m really excited and blessed to be able to start the second season,” Head Coach Rechelle Turner, said. “It’s our first recruiting class, so that’s always exciting.”
Turner’s first recruiting class is composed of seven athletes, three of whom she coached at Murray High School before joining the Racers’ program.
Guard Lex Mayes, forward Alexis Burpo, and guard Macey Turley are the former Murray Tigers Turner coached. They will join JUCO transfer junior forward DeAsia Outlaw and junior center Cekeya Mack, as well as freshman forward Sadie Hill, guard Raegan Blackburn and forward Macie Gibson.
Turner has high expectations for her first recruiting class and is excited about the mental toughness they bring to the team.
“Most of the players we signed don’t understand what losing is,” Turner said. “They’re not used to losing. That mentality in itself has brought a lot to our program.”
The roster is rounded out by the lone senior guard Michaela Manley, junior forward Evelyn Adebayo and three sophomores: guard Janika Griffith-Wallace, forward Paige Barrett and forward Brianna Crane.
With the majority of the team being new, team chemistry is something returning players and Turner have emphasized throughout the offseason.
“Team chemistry is really important,” Crane said. “Especially to get through tough games and everything.”
After a tough first season in which the Racers went 11-19, Turner is ready for her second season to be underway, and looks forward to applying what she’s learned and seeing what her team is capable of.
“I learned a lot of things last year,” Turner said. “Sometimes when you fail at different things, you learn more than even when you succeed. So I’ve taken a lot of the things I learned last year and tried to make changes and do things differently. We’re excited and we’re hungry.”
