Dale Neal - Head Coach

Coach Dale Neal begins his 37th year of coaching and his 13th season at the helm of the Lady Lion basketball program, having compiled a record of 315-107 and a winning percentage of .746 at FHU.

The Lady Lion’s basketball program instantly turned around when Neal came to Freed-Hardeman.  In his first season at the reins, the Lady Lions finished a then school-record 21-9.  A short two years later, the team set a new record by winning 26 games and making the school’s first ever appearance in the NAIA National Tournament.  In 1999, the Lady Lions again won 26 games and reached the Final Four at the national tournament.  During the past four seasons, Neal’s teams have won at least 30 games each year.  His teams have reached the Elite 8 at the national tournament and won the TranSouth Conference Championship each of the past three years. 

Coach Neal has been named the TranSouth Conference Coach of the Year four straight years from 2003-06.  Neal looks to lead his Lady Lions to their eleventh consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearance and move past last year’s Elite 8 finish.

Neal holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harding University (’69) and a Master of Physical Education degree from the University of Nebraska (’80).  He coached the men’s basketball team at York College in Nebraska for 11 years, where his teams combined record was 234-96 (.709), before coming to FHU.  Neal received seven coach of the year awards, including a NJCAA Region IX Coach of the Year award, while at York.

Neal and his wife, Kathy, have four children and 13 grandchildren.  Kathy works at FHU as the president’s assistant for institutional advancement.  Their son, Tim, a Lady Lions’ graduate assistant, received his M.Ed. from Freed-Hardeman and is now working on his Master of New Testament degree.

Heather Beard - Assistant Coach

Coach Heather Beard begins her third season as the Lady Lions’ assistant coach.  Beard is a 2004 graduate of Freed-Hardeman and received her M.Ed. in August 2006.  During her time as a player for the Lady Lions from 2000 to 2004, she helped her teams reach the national tournament each year and finished in the Elite 8 her final season.  She finished her career by helping lead the Lady Lions to their first ever TranSouth Conference Championship. 
Beard holds records at FHU for most 3-pointers made in a career (318), most 3-pointers made in a season (102), most 3-pointers in a game (8, twice), and highest free-throw percentage for a career (88.5%).  Beard also eclipsed the 1000th point mark during her playing career.  She was named a TranSouth Scholar Athlete three times and was chosen as a team captain two years. 

Away from basketball, Heather shows Tennessee Walking Horses and won a World Grand Championship at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in 2005 with her horse Bold Vengeance.  She is the daughter of Mark and Gail Walling and has one sister, Ashley, who attends Freed-Hardeman.  She is married to Brad Beard, a horse trainer at Shea Woods Stables in Bolivar, Tenn.

Ashley Thompson #3
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5’10
Hometown: Camden, TN
High School: Trinity Christian Academy
College Major: Biology

General:
Member of the National Honor Society…graduated 4th in her high school class…was a Campus Life Leader.

2004-05:
Scored a career-high 16 points against Brewton-Parker College…nailed 3 of 4 three-pointers versus Oklahoma City University…grabbed season-high of 7 rebounds against the University of Illinois-Springfield…averaged 3.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 33 games.

High School:
Named a Junior National All-American…played on the 2002 Tennessee Elite National Championship AAU team…named All-District her junior and senior years…named All-Region her senior season…voted her team’s MVP her junior and senior seasons… averaged 23 points and 7 rebounds.

Lions’ Pause:
Parents: Ben and Lisa Thompson
Siblings: Beth and Hannah Thompson

Kori Bledsoe #3
Class: Junior
Height: 5’7”
Hometown: Fairview, TN
High School: Fairview/University of New Orleans
College Major: Communications

General:
Cross country state champion in 2001…placed second in 2 mile event in 2001 and 2002…graduated in the top 10% of her class…was an honor student…played in the AAU Junior Olympics…played AAU for the Tennessee Lady Tigers, finishing second in the AAU NIT in 2002…joined Lady Lion program in January 2006.

High School:
Averaged 14.4 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game her senior year…named All-District three times and All-County twice…played in the 2004 TACA All-Star Game…chosen as the Channel 5 Player of the Week five times…ended high school career with 1,210 points and 619 assists.
At UNO:
Started 22 games as a freshman…averaged 3.6 assists per game…decided to leave after hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.

Lions’ Pause:
Parents: Ricky and Donna Bledsoe
Siblings: Drew Bledsoe

Megan Thompson #11
Class: Junior
Height: 5’7”
Hometown: Monroe, TN
High School: Livingston Academy
College Major: Accounting

General:
Named All District and All Region in volleyball…was part of the National Honor Society and the Beta Club…elected a class officer each year…named a Homecoming Attendant.

05-06:
Named TranSouth Scholar Athlete …ranked #6 in NAIA Assist/Turnover ratio…scored season-high 11 points against Belhaven College…dished out career-high 10 assists versus Warner Southern College…averaged 2.0 points and 1.6 assists in 28 games.

04-05:
Scored a career-high 14 points against Harris-Stowe State College…dished out season-high 7 assists versus Arkansas Baptist College…averaged 4.3 points and 2.5 assists in 26 games.

High School:
Named District All-Freshmen Team…voted All-District and All-Region junior and senior years…helped lead her team to the 2004 AA State Championship while being named to the All-Tournament team…averaged 9.2 points and 4.2 assists.

Lions’ Pause:

Parents: Steve and Denise Thompson

Chelsie Alsup #13
Class: Freshman
Height: 5’9”
Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN
High School: Eagleville
College Major: Undecided

General:
Graduated with 3.9 GPA…voted her class’s Best Laugh…was a member of the Spanish and Beta Clubs…participated in a mission trip to Jamaica.

High School:
Averaged 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals during her senior season…scored 1,312 career points…voted All-District for 2 years and was named the District tournament MVP in 2006…named All-State her senior year…chosen as her team’s MVP twice…selected as the Daily News Journal’s Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

Lions’ Pause:

Parents: Rita Young
Siblings: Jessica Alsup, Dalton Young

Tara Deatheridge #15
Class: Freshman
Height: 5’6”
Hometown: Nashville, TN
High School: Ezell-Harding
College Major: Nursing

General:
Named an Outstanding Scholar Athlete…was a member of FCA, Beta Club, LaMitie Club, Spanish Club, Art Club, and Girls Chapel Committee…chosen “Who’s Who Among American High School Students”…played #1 seed on varsity tennis team and set school record for most wins…voted Homecoming Representative her freshman year and Homecoming Queen her senior year…named Miss EHCS…chosen US Bank/WSMV “High School Star of the Week”…won first place for her age division and was Top Overall Female in 2006 “Making Tracks for Wildlife” 5K run.

High School:
Averaged 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 4 assists her senior season…member of 2002 Class A State Championship team and led her team to the Class AA Final Four in 2006…voted All-District for 3 years and District MVP twice…chosen All-Region her senior year…named All-State, All-Midstate, and TWSA All-State her senior season…scored 1,625 points over her career as a Lady Eagle making her the second all time leading scorer at Ezell-Harding…had jersey retired at EHCS in 2006.

Lions’ Pause:

Parents: Donald and Laurie Deatheridge
Siblings: Preston Deatheridge

Kari Bishop #20
Class: Senior
Height: 5’9”
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
High School: Ezell Harding
College Major: English

General:
Was named all-district in softball her senior season…voted volleyball All-District four years and team MVP in 2003…played AAU basketball with Tennessee Elite, Tennessee Tigers and Tennessee Pride teams…ran track four years and received medals in the 200 and 400 meter dash…named Coming Home Queen her senior year…has participated in FHU’s Makin Music twice with Phi Kappa Alpha.

05-06:
Named TranSouth Scholar Athlete…scored season-high 16 points against Martin Methodist College and Trevecca Nazarene University…#4 in conference for 3-point field goal percentage (37.2)…#5 in conference for 3-point field goals made (61)…averaged 7.4 points and 2.7 rebounds.

04-05:
Named TranSouth Scholar Athlete…#6 in conference for 3-point field goals made (53)…scored career-high 19 points versus Cumberland University…helped lead the Lady Lions to the conference championship by scoring 15 points and shooting 3-4 from behind the arc against Union University…averaged 7.0 points and 2.9 rebounds.

03-04:
Scored a season-high 11 points against Lambuth University, while shooting 3 of 4 from behind the arc…had a season-high 5 steals twice…played in all 36 games.

High School:
Scored over 1,300 career points…averaged 13 points per game her senior season…appeared in the state tournament all four years including a runner-up finish in 2003 and a state championship in 2002…named all-state tournament team in 2002 and 2003…named first team Mid-State in 2003.

Lions’ Pause:

Parents: Wayne Bishop and Shirlee Miller
Siblings: Paul Bishop

Kristal Edney #21
Class: Freshman
Height: 5’8”
Hometown: Linden, TN
High School: Perry County
College Major: Education

General:
Graduated from PCHS with honors diploma and a 3.7 GPA…named Miss PCHS her senior year…was a four year member of the Beta Club.

High School:
Averaged 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game during her time as a Lady Viking… named Class A Miss Basketball her junior year…voted a McDonald’s All-American nominee her senior season …named All-District for four years and All-Region for three years…voted District MVP in 2005…chosen to the All-State Tournament team in 2004…named TSWA All-State twice…had jersey retired at PCHS during her junior season…scored over 1,900 points during her career.

Lions’ Pause:

Parents: David and Julia Edney
Siblings: Katrina and Justin Edney

Stacy Myers #23
Class: Senior
Height: 6’1”
Hometown: Waynesboro, Tenn.
High School: Wayne County
College Major: Exercise Science

General:
Was named All-District and All-Region in soccer…was Valedictorian of her class…was a member of the Beta Club…was vice-president of FCA…voted sophomore and senior class president…was a member of student council…received United States Army National Scholar Award…set FHU record for most consecutive free throws made (34)…member of FHU’s Student Alumni Association.

05-06:
Received third team NAIA All-American honors…named to the TranSouth All-Conference first team…voted TranSouth Tournament MVP…TranSouth Player of the Week…named an NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete and a TranSouth Scholar Athlete…#5 in conference for free throw percentage (79.2)…led the team in field goal percentage (55.8)…averaged 12.2 points and 5.4 rebounds.

04-05:
Received third team NAIA All-American honors…named to the TranSouth All-Conference first team…TranSouth Player of the Week…recognized as a TranSouth Scholar Athlete…voted to the Goombay Shootout All-Tournament team…led the team in rebounds (276 total, 7.5 per game) and free throw percentage (83.3%)… scored career-high 31 points against Cumberland University…averaged 14.0 points.

03-04:
Voted to the TranSouth All-Freshmen Team and team’s Miss Hustle…holds the school record for most free throw’s attempted in a game with 16…scored a season-high 24 points against Cumberland University…grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds six different times while recording double-doubles with points all those games…averaged 12.3 points and 6.7 rebounds.

High School:
Averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds per game…named the District 12A MVP…voted All-District tournament and All-Region tournament…received All-State honorable mention…named to the Times Daily first team All-Area.

Lions’ Pause:

Parents: Kevin and Susan Myers
Siblings: Michelle Puckett, Nicholas and Julia Myers

Meredith McLemore #24
Class: Junior
Height: 5’10”
Hometown: Savannah, TN
High School: Hardin County
College Major: Business/ Dentistry

General:
Started for her school’s volleyball team all four years and was named District Player of the Year her senior season…named Miss Hardin County High School and Homecoming Queen…was National Honor Society secretary…named Girls’ State Delegate…participated in FHU’s 2006 Makin’ Music with Phi Kappa Alpha.

05-06:
Named TranSouth Scholar Athlete…scored career-high 13 points against Knoxville College and Clearwater Christian College… grabbed season-high 8 rebounds versus Knoxville College…averaged 4.0 points and 2.6 rebounds in 32 games.

04-05:
Scored a season-high 12 points against Lyon College…grabbed career-high 10 rebounds versus Indiana University-Southeast…averaged 3.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 29 games.

High School:
Voted All-District for three years…named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State Team and Jackson Sun All-West Team her senior season…awarded Hardin County and Savannah Courier Female Athlete of the Year…played on the 2003 Tennessee Elite National Championship AAU team…awarded Tennessee Titans Radio 2003 Edamerica Scholar Athlete of the Week…averaged 18 points and 9 rebounds.

Lions’ Pause:

Parents: Marcus and Jenny Lynn McLemore
Siblings: Jana and Michael McLemore

Ashley Helton #33
Class: Senior
Height: 5’7”
Hometown: Lawrenceburg, Tenn.
High School: Lawrence County
College Major: Primary Education

General:
Graduated magna cum laude…was a D.A.R.E. role model…voted senior class secretary…participated in school plays…elected Homecoming Queen…has twice been a director for Phi Kappa Alpha’s show in FHU’s Makin Music.

05-06:
Named TranSouth Scholar Athlete…scored season-high 15 points against Knoxville College and Clearwater Christian College…grabbed season-high 8 rebounds versus Knoxville College…averaged 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in 25 games.

04-05:
Scored a career-high 22 points against Arkasnsa Baptist College…grabbed career-high 9 rebounds versus Brewton-Parker College…averaged 4.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in 27 games.

03-04:
Named TranSouth Scholar Athlete…scored a season-high of 20 points against California State University-Monterey Bay and Lee University…connected on 3 of 4 from behind the arc against Union University…played in 28 games.

High School:
Named all-district and all-region in 2003…voted to be a member of the Tennessee East-West All-Star game…named all-state tournament team in 2002…awarded AP All State honorable mention in 2003…shot 36 percent from behind the arc.

Lions’ Pause:

Parents: Biff and Penny Helton
Siblings: Billy Helton III

Jana Cross #41
Class: Freshman
Height: 5’11”
Hometown: Loretto, TN
High School: Loretto
College Major: Secondary Education

General:
Member of the Beta Club, Gold Record Club, and Student Government…graduated in the top ten of senior class…named Homecoming Queen and Miss LHS her senior year…chosen All-District and All-Region three times in volleyball…named 2005 Times Daily Volleyball Player of the Year…2006 District and Region volleyball tournament MVP…led Loretto volleyball team to a 3 rd place finish her senior year while being named to the State Tournament team…voted All-District in softball for four years…member of the MTSCA All-Academic Team twice…named to the MTSCA Mid-State and Times Daily All-Area First Teams her senior season of softball

High School:
Averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds her senior season…named All-District twice and All-Region three times…District MVP her junior and senior seasons…led team to the state tournament during her sophomore year and was name to the State tournament team…participated in the 2006 TACA East-West All-Star Game…voted to the TSWA All-State Team her senior year…nominated for the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006…voted to the Tennessean’s Mid-State First team…scored 2, 136 career points and will have her jersey retired at LHS during the 06-07 season.

Lions’ Pause:

Parents: Dwayne and Shelia Cross
Siblings: Mandy Cross

Sara Andon #42
Class: Sophomore, Red-Shirt
Height: 6’3”
Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN
High School: Riverdale
College Major: Psychology

General:
Member of the Beta Club, Spanish Club, FCA, and Delta Beta Sigma Sorority…voted Who’s Who among American High School Students…high school GPA of 3.334…participated in FHU’s Makin Music with PKA last year.

05-06:
Scored career-high 9 points against the University of Illinois-Springfield…grabbed career-high 5 rebounds versus Spalding University…averaged 2.5 points and 1.6 rebounds in 16 games.

High School:
Averaged 7.5 points and 4 rebounds…shot 77% from the free throw line…named All District and District Tournament MVP in 2002…led Rutherford County in free throw and three point percentages last year.

Lions’ Pause:

Parents: Kurt Andon and Cecelia Andon
Siblings: Houston Andon

Nicole Duncan #44
Class: Freshman
Height: 6’3”
Hometown: Hohenwald, TN
High School: Lewis County
College Major:

General:
Received United States Army Reserve National Athlete Award…graduated 5 th in class…named Miss LCHS her senior year…member of the French Club, Beta Club, Science Club, and 4-H…named All-District in volleyball.

High School:
Named All-District twice…set TSSAA records for career and single-season blocked shots…blocked 21 shots in one game…averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds her senior seaosn.

Lions’ Pause:

Parents: Donald and Donna Duncan

Phenicia West #54
Class: Junior
Height: 6’1”
Hometown: Duncanville, AL
High School: Hillcrest HS/ Shelton State CC
College Major: Exercise Science

General:
Voted Most Athletic at Hillcrest High School her senior year

At Shelton State:
Helped lead team to a 58-9 record, an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament, and an ACCC Division I Championship during her two seasons…averaged 5.8 points and 4.4 rebounds last season.

High School:
Averaged 10 points and 12 rebounds per game…team participated in Alabama State tournament each of her four years…led team in free throw percentage…twice named an Athlete of the Week…named 2 nd Team All-West Alabama.

Lions’ Pause:

Parents: Jimmy and Robbie West