Blessed with a group of talented returning players and several newcomers that coach Marty Rowe calls the most athletic hoopsters he's recruited since accepting the Lee University women's basketball job 13 years ago, the coaching staff will waste no time in seeing how the 2016-17 squad blends together.
 
On Thursday evening at 8 p.m. the Lady Flames will move up to Division I level and go against the University of Memphis. The Lady Tigers are members of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and go against powerful UConn at least two times each season.
 
"We're excited about our upcoming exhibitions and the chance for our players to gain some valuable experience before the regular season begins next weekend," stated coach Rowe.
 
"We haven't played a Division 1 in an exhibition recently, so Thursday will be great for our team. Memphis will be extremely athletic and pose several matchup problem for us, but we're looking forward to the challenge. "
 
Memphis posted an 18-13 record last year and reached the NIT tournament. The Tigers have five players over the 6-feet mark, but will likely be paced by a pair of players who did not see action last season. Asha Jones is a 6-foot-1 transfer from UT-Martin. She averaged 18 points per game before transferring. Breigha Wilder-Cochran is a 5-foot-9 guard who missed most of last season with an injury.
 
The Lady Flames will make the quick trip back across the state and get ready for an exhibition game with an old rival in Bryan College on Saturday at noon. It is a part of Lee's annual Homecoming weekend. The Flames will follow with an exhibition contest against Piedmont College at 2:15.
 
Last season Bryan opened the season with 13 straight wins and finished the year with a 26-5 record.
 
"Bryan returns several key players from a really good team last year," pointed out Rowe. "I have a lot of respect for coach (Jason) Smith. We will have a short turn around to get ready for them, which is exactly what we need heading into conference play. We're looking forward to having our home crowd see this year's team on Saturday."
 
The Lady Lions opened its regular season with a 72-48 shellacking of a Webber International (Fla.) club. They return two outstanding players in 5-foot-11 senior Megan Billingby, who averaged 14.4 points and 7.5 rebounds last year. Amber Levi will also be on the Lee radar, she averaged 12 ppg during the 2015-16 season.
 
The Lady Flames will counter with three experienced juniors leading the way. All-South Region guard Erin Walsh (17.6 ppg), forwards Carrie Cheeks (10.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg) and Shelby Brown (9.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg) will direct Lee into the new season. They will get plenty of help from several newcomers.
 
Haley Cornellison, junior guard/forward and transfer from Roane State CC, Maddie Long,  guard from McEwen High School, Lindsey Roddy, guard from William Blount High School, Taylor Boggess, guard from Meigs County High School, Nicky Widenski, forward from Oak Creek, Wisc., and Abby Bertram, guard from Midway High School will be called on to move in and earn quality playing time.
 
The Lady Flames will be back on the road to open the regular season. They will be in Lakeland, Fla. and test a pair of teams from the South Region, St. Leo on Nov. 11 at 12 noon, followed by Florida Southern on Nov. 12 at 2 p.m.