University of South Alabama Athletics

FRESHMAN SEASON (2008-09):  Played in all 32 games for the Lady Jags, while making her first collegiate start against UALR (Jan. 21)...Averaged 3.8 points per game and 3.0 rebounds per outing...of her 96 rebounds, 64 where on the offensive glass – third best on the team...Also had 32 steals – second on the team – and 20 blocks...Shot 37.6 percent from the floor (38-for-101)...Over 21 of the final 22 games of the season, she recorded double-figure minutes...Recorded a season-high nine points against Florida Atlantic (Feb.14)...Pulled down a season-best eight rebounds against Middle Tennessee (Jan. 4)....Twice, recorded a season-high four steals – vs. Florida Atlantic (Feb. 14) and vs. Middle Tennessee (March 9) in the semifinals of the Sun Belt Tournament...Also had a career-high four blocks against Troy (March 7) in the quarterfinals...Ranked 14^th in the Sun Belt Conference in blocks.

AT WEST MEMPHIS HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered three years in basketball at West Memphis High School in West Memphis, Ark…Helped lead the Blue Devils to a state runner up finish both her junior and senior seasons…Earned First-Team All-State and all-conference honors as a senior after averaging 10 ppg, 6 rpg, 4.5 apg and 4.5 spg…Competed in the 2008 East-West Tyson/Wal-Mart/Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star game held in Fayetteville, Ark…Was nominated for the McDonald’s High School All-American game prior to the start of her senior season....As a junior, averaged 14.6 ppg and 4.3 rpg, while also averaging four steals per game and dishing out three assists per contest…That same season earned both Class 6A all-state honors and all-tournament honors after guiding West Memphis High School to a 27-4 mark and a runner up finish in the state playoffs…Chose USA over Memphis, Arkansas State and UALR…Also lettered one season in volleyball at WMHS.

PERSONAL: Tashley Lakoji Gaines…Second of three children…Father Robert and mother Bobbie both played collegiate basketball at Lane College and Mary Holmes College...Favorite movie is “Friday”…Favorite book is The Bible...Favorite professional sports team is the Boston Celtics…Favorite athletes are Amare Stoudemire and Ray Allen…Favorite food is shrimp fettuccine…Majoring in Allied Health.