UTC women's basketball coach Wes Moore said Wednesday that several freshmen, including former Cleveland High star Michelle Davis, could play key roles for this year's edition of the Lady Mocs.
He also mentioned Kylie Lambert of McMinn Central and Kayla Christopher of Oliver Springs as potential impact players.
Davis was recruited by North Carolina State, but stayed only a short time and has four years of eligibility for UTC.
Coach Moore, speaking to the Hamilton Place Rotary Club, said an early concern is that of knee injuries to several players.
He noted that the Lady Mocs have an exhibition opener with Lee University at McKenzie Arena on Thursday night, and he said six of 14 scholarship players could be sidelined.
He said a couple of the injured players could be back soon, but several others are facing longer layoffs.
Coach Moore said a Nov. 19 appearance by Georgia at McKenzie Arena will feature a homecoming by former Dade County star Ashley Houts.
And he said UTC travels to Kentucky this year with a return visit to Chattanooga by the Lady Wildcats next season. One of their stars is former GPS player Carly Morrow.
Coach Moore said the Lady Mocs will feature last year's Southern Conference Player of the Year Shanara Hollinquest as well as fellow seniorrs Jenaya Wade-Fray and Tagan Hatchett.
Starting his 11th season in Chattanooga, he noted that his first team won 10 games, but the next one had 20 victories. "We went out and got some players," he said.
The Lady Mocs have had averaged 25 wins over the last 10 seasons and have captured the conference title 10 years in a row.