New season, new players: Ernst, Brooks step in to boost women’s team

Lady Bruins Head Coach Brittney Ezell has only two new incoming players in her first year. While she has two starters returning, Ezell expects both of the newest Bruins to contribute as well.

This year, Molly Ernst is the lone freshman entering Belmont’s squad. A six-foot guard from Louisville, Ky, Ezell believes that Ernst “has a chance to become a big-time player.”

“Molly is a six-foot shooter with a high release, she is a scorer, and she knows how to put the ball in the hole,” she said.

Although she’s a new arrival, Ernst “blended so easily with the team, and she has a high basketball IQ,” Ezell said.

Senior guard Shaunda Strayhorn shares a similar view.

“Molly is one of the best shooters I’ve come across. I look forward to her being one of the starting five,” she said.

Hailing from Maryville, Tenn., junior guard Katie Brooks is also new to the Lady Bruins team. A transfer from Maryland-Baltimore County, Brooks brings previous NCAA experience as a guard.

“Katie is a natural leader,” Ezell said. “She again has a high basketball IQ. She’s very physically strong, a mentally tough kid—and those are things that you need at the point guard position.”

Strayhorn has observed that Brooks has a lot of energy.

“As a redshirt, she’s brought in lots of offense and defense, and is very strong,” Strayhorn said.

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