Ladyjacks Preseason Favorite in SLC East
10/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 21, 2008
KATY, Texas - Despite its youth, the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the Southland Conference East Division announced league officials Tuesday afternoon.
The Ladyjacks received 11 first-place votes from the league coaches, and nine first-place votes from the league sports information directors to take top billing. There was very little doubt as to who the preseason favorite in the league's West division would be either. Both coaches and SIDs selected Texas-San Antonio to win the West division title.
Due to conference realignment, the Ladyjacks moved to the East division after spending the previous two seasons in the West. SFA and Lamar will rotate divisions every two seasons.
Despite losing only one senior from the 2007-08 roster, the Ladyjacks will still be a very young team. SFA's roster will consist of only two seniors, one junior, six sophomores and five newcomers.
Senior Natashia Green is coming off her best season in a Ladyjack uniform averaging close to 10 points per contest as head coach Lee Ann Riley's top option off the bench. Along with Green is junior Whitney Cormier who averaged close 11 points and six rebounds in only 12 games as a sophomore.
The Ladyjacks had a great deal of success against the East division last season. SFA posted a 4-1 (.800) mark against current East division foes. The lone loss was at McNeese State early in the conference season.
The Ladyjacks tip off the 2008-09 campaign Friday, Nov. 14, with 6 p.m. tip at Prairie View A&M.
-SFA-
2008 SLC Women's Basketball Preseason Polls Katy, Texas - Oct. 21, 2008 East - Coaches Poll School (1st-Place Votes) Points 1. Stephen F. Austin (11) 66 2. McNeese State (1) 49 3. Northwestern State 44 4. Southeastern Louisiana 42 5. Central Arkansas 31 6. Nicholls 16West - Coaches Poll School (1st-Place Votes) Points 1. Texas-San Antonio (7) 62 2. Texas State (3) 49 3. Lamar (1) 48 4. Texas-Arlington (1) 40 5. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 28 6. Sam Houston State 16
East - SIDs Poll School (1st-Place Votes) Points 1. Stephen F. Austin (9) 63 2. McNeese State (2) 47 3. Southeastern Louisiana 43 4. Northwestern State 42 5. Central Arkansas (1) 35 6. Nicholls 16
West - SIDs Poll School (1st-Place Votes) Points 1. Texas-San Antonio (10) 65 2. Texas State (2) 47 Lamar 47 4. Texas-Arlington 44 5. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 26 6. Sam Houston State 17
