![Freshman Ajaycia Cotton has exceled in her role as 'sixth man' for the Lady Bucks, averaging 11 points per game and leading the team in assists. [Jeff Reed Photography.]](http://www.thunder1320.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Jaycie-Cotton-Motlow.jpg)
Freshman Ajaycia Cotton has exceled in her role as ‘sixth man’ for the Lady Bucks, averaging 11 points per game and leading the team in assists. [Jeff Reed Photography.]
The Lady Bucks (7-6, 3-4) under second-year head coach Dominic Tharpe have brought a renewed excitement to the program with an influx of new talent and a more dynamic, exciting style of play. After rebuilding his roster from scratch, Tharpe has guided the program to the point where it can compete for the upper half of the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) standings.
Motlow will have an early opportunity to open the second half of conference play with a strong statement when Southwest Tennessee comes to Copperweld Arena on Friday, Jan. 15. The Lady Bucks and Lady Saluqis are tied, along with Chattanooga State, for fourth place in the TCCAA standings. Motlow will turn around and host Dyersburg State, who sits just one game behind the Lady Bucks, on Saturday.
The Lady Bucks have been led in scoring by a pair of talented freshmen. Sydney Floyd has perhaps been the team’s most consistent player, averaging 13.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, one assist and almost three steals per game. Ajaycia Cotton has taken on the role of ‘sixth man’ very well, averaging 11 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 steals per contest.
Shakala Griffin joins Floyd in averaging 5.5 rebounds per game, but four other players average over four boards per outing. The team’s balance is further evidenced by the fact that three other players besides Floyd and Cotton average over six points per game, including Taylor Hayes, Aja Robertson and Griffin.
Monday’s game against Martin Methodist begins a six-game home stand for the Lady Bucks that will end when Volunteer State comes to Copperweld Arena on Jan. 23. Homecoming is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6, with Roane State as the opposition. The final home game of the regular season is Saturday, Feb. 20, when Jackson State comes to Moore County.
One important note for Lady Bucks’ fans during the second half of the season is the new starting time for conference games. Traditionally, the women have always played first; but that will change beginning with the Martin Methodist visit, although it is not a TCCAA tilt. For the remainder of the season the men will play first during conference dates. For example, on Jan. 15, the men play at 5:30 p.m. and the women follow at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, Jan. 16, the men will play Dyersburg at 2 p.m. with the women following at 4 p.m.
Visit the official website of Motlow Athletics at for rosters, schedules, stats and more. Interact with Motlow Athletics at <Facebook/MotlowSports> and <Twitter@MotlowSports>.
