The year has just begun, but Lady Toppers coach Mary Taylor Cowles already finds herself having to fill a roster spot.

Jamie Truitt, a guard from Owensboro, has decided to forego her last two seasons of eligibility on the Hill and find another place to finish her basketball career.

“It started my freshman year,” Truitt said. “I really wasn’t happy. When we got a new coach (Shawn Campbell) I thought I’d try it again. But, at that point, I was so miserable that I found myself not working as hard.”

Truitt said she didn’t want to experience another coaching change, adding she “couldn’t play under those circumstances.”

Truitt will stay on campus this semester and take classes in physical education and health, taking the time to look for a transfer school.

She would not comment on specific schools she’s looking at but said she is focusing her efforts out of state.

Cowles said she became aware of Truitt’s decision before school began this semester and thinks the action will benefit everyone.

“It was the best decision for Jamie and the best decision for everybody,” Cowles said.

In two seasons as a Lady Topper, Truitt averaged 5.6 points and 2.1 rebounds a game. Known most for her three-point shooting ability, Truitt connected on 62 three-pointers in 53 games – a 33.2 percent average.

Cowles said there are no plans to give away the scholarship made available with Truitt’s departure. While Krystal Gardner, a recent walk-on, seems a possible candidate, Cowles said no plans of that nature have been discussed.

“Krystal has shown a lot of excitement and interest,” Cowles said. “We decided to give her an opportunity on a walk-on basis.”

Recruiting trail

Brandie Hoskins, a 5-foot-10 shooting guard from Dayton, Ohio, visited Western Aug. 19.

Hoskins, a high school senior, is considered to be one of the top 25 recruits in the country. She averaged almost 25 points a game during this summer’s Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) season.

Several other Division I schools, including Notre Dame, Michigan State, Ohio State, Duke, Florida State and Dayton have reportedly shown interest in Hoskins.