Revamped roster: A new SEMO women’s basketball coach and a lot of additions

New SEMO Women’s Basketball head coach Briley Palmer is formally introduced by Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Brady Barke at an introductory press conference on Thursday, May 16, at the Show Me Center.

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With the departure of eight-year head coach Rekha Patterson, SEMO women’s basketball prepares to enter a new era this winter, the Briley Palmer era. Coach Palmer comes to the Redhawks by way of Mineral Area College where throughout four seasons compiled a 77-40 record and in 2024 spent 10 weeks in the NJCAA top 25 rankings.

Palmer has hit the recruitment trail hard, signing nine new players to the team after the departure of 11 players from last season’s roster. Sophomore guard Indiya Bowen and graduate student Sophie Bussard are the only returning players from Patterson’s roster. Patterson signed Ainaya Williams and Zoe Best before last season and the two freshmen will join the Redhawks this season.

On June 10, SEMO announced Palmer’s first four signees, all transfers from other Division 1 teams. Kennedy Claybrooks, Rain Green, Briah Hampton and Brianna Hill. SEMO announced Palmer’s first freshman signees two days later, Jariyah Williamson and Alex McGarrah. On June 18, three more transfers signed to play for the Redhawks, Skylar Barnes, Anjelicia Del Valle and Madison Brooks.

Here is your semoball.com breakdown of the 11 incoming players for SEMO women’s basketball:

Ainaya Williams, Center

Williams comes to SEMO from Cardinal Ritter College Prep in St. Louis where she was a four-year starter and conference player of the year in her junior season. The number one ranked center in Missouri played for Bradley Beal Elite AAU and intends to major in psychology.

Zoe Best, Guard

Best comes to SEMO from Incarnate Word Academy in Bel-Nor, Missouri where she was a two-time state champion. Before transferring to Incarnate Word, Best averaged 16 points per game at Lima Shawnee High School in Lima, Ohio. Best played for Phee Elite AAU and is interested in studying dentistry.

Kennedy Claybrooks, Guard

Claybrooks comes to SEMO from Texas State where she spent two seasons and appeared in 44 games for the Bobcats. Claybrooks finished the 23-24 season with a .383 field goal percentage with .333 from behind the three-point line and averaged 1.8 assists per game. Claybrooks grabbed 40 rebounds from her guard position and plans to major in journalism.

Rain Green, Guard

Green comes to SEMO from the University of Missouri-Kansas City where she spent the last two seasons. Last year Green started 17 games for the Roos and shot .317 from the field and averaged nearly three rebounds per game. Green was a multi-sport athlete in high school, playing basketball, volleyball, football and running track.

Brianna Hill, Guard

Hill comes to SEMO from George Mason where she missed her freshman season with an injury. Hill played at Example Academy in Frankfort, Illinois where she won two state titles and was a 2023 McDonald’s All-American nominee. Hill plans to study communications or journalism at SEMO.

Briah Hampton, Forward

Hampton comes to SEMO from Austin Peay where she did not see any action last year due to an injury. Before APSU Hampton played for Arlington High School in Arlington, Tennessee and Memphis Elite AAU where she averaged 12 points per game, 10 rebounds per game and three blocks per game. Hampton plans to major in business or marketing at SEMO.

Jariyah Williamson, Guard

Williamson comes to SEMO from Chester County High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee where she averaged 20 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game and 3.6 steals per game her senior year. Williamson also shot 48.6% from the field and 70% from the free throw line last season. Williamson played soccer in high school and plans to study physical therapy or business at SEMO.

Alex McGarrah, Guard

McGarrah comes to SEMO from Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma where she was a three-year letter winner. McGarrah averaged 10.4 points per game, 3.2 steals per game and 2.8 of both assists and rebounds per game her senior year. McGarrah and the Rams made the 6A semifinal and she was named to the 6A All-State Tournament Team. McGarrah plans to study Sport Management at SEMO.

Skylar Barnes, Guard

Barnes comes to SEMO from Morehead State where she played the 23-24 season before MSU she played two years for junior college, Blinn College. Last season for the OVC rival Eagles, Barnes averaged 5 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in 29 games and five starts, Barnes scored a career-high 26 points against Tennessee State last season. Barnes plans to major in general studies at SEMO.

Anjelicia Del Valle, Guard

Del Valle comes to SEMO from Moberly Area Community College where she spent her freshman season with the Greyhounds. Del Valle started 22 games and shot 38.6% from the field while averaging three rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Del Valle was a four-year started for Portage High School in Portage, Indiana. Del Valle is currently majoring in business and plans to be an esthetician.

Madison Roberts, Forward

Roberts comes to SEMO from Seminole State College where she spent two seasons playing for the Trojans. Roberts made 40 starts and shot 37.3% from the field, 50% from three and 75% from the free throw line. Roberts averaged 8.2 points per game and pulled down 169 rebounds, 66 offensive rebounds. Roberts graduated from Classen School of Advanced Studies in 2021 where she started all four seasons.