Tuesday, December 01, 2009

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Dec. 1, 2009) - Head ETSU women's basketball coach Karen Kemp and the Buccaneer athletic training staff announced Tuesday afternoon, senior post Latisha Belcher (Martinsville, Va.) will miss the remainder of the season.

Belcher, who just finished rehabbing from left knee surgery in the off-season, went down with an ACL injury in her other knee during the second half against Arkansas back on Nov. 22. The Martinsville, Va. native suffered the injury after getting her leg tangled with a Razorback player while battling for a rebound.

"Whenever you lose a player, let alone a starter, it makes things difficult," commented Kemp. "In Tish's case, it's even more devastating, because she worked so hard rehabbing her other knee all summer and preseason to come back for her final year. Her presence will definitely be missed, both on offense and defense. Now our other post players need to step up and fill that void."

The reigning Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Year was coming off her most productive season in 2008-09, as Belcher averaged 11.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.9 steals in 31 starts. Belcher was also looking to join teammates Siarre Evans (Griffin, Ga.) and TaRonda Wiles (Danville, Va.) on the 1,000-point club, as she was 149 points shy of eclipsing that mark. In addition, Belcher entered her final year needing only 64 steals to become the all-time career leader at ETSU.

Belcher is on pace to receive her degree in May and has a red-shirt available; however, it has yet to be determined if it will be used.

For more information on Lady Buccaneer basketball, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.