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The Peach Belt released its preseason poll for women’s basketball late Friday, and Clayton State was picked as the preseason favorite to win the PBC this season. The Lakers, who went 29-6 last season and are ranked 12th in the Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25, received eight of a possible 10 first-place votes for 98 points, seven ahead of Lander with 91. Columbus State was third in the voting with USC Aiken fourth, Augusta State fifth and Georgia College sixth. Coaches were not permitted to rank their own team.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by our peers to be the favorite to win the league this year,” said Clayton State head coach Dennis Cox, who is 79-19 entering his fourth season at the Laker helm. It’s a credit to everyone - players, coaches, administration, and all who support us – that have contributed to our success in the past three years.”
Clayton State is coming off of a historical season that saw the Lakers win the PBC Championship and PBC Tournament, host the NCAA South Atlantic Regional for the first time, make their first “Elite Eight” appearance and win a game to advance to the “Final Four.” To repeat those feats will require blending the new with the old.
All-Conference standout senior forward Shantel Ragin is back for her senior season after averaging 10 points and six rebounds a game last year. She will be joined by senior guard Roberta Phillips and senior center Lynette Jackson and junior guard Marie St. Fort.
“We expect the Peach Belt Conference to be stronger than it’s been in recent years from top to bottom and know that it will take our best effort every night to be successful,” Cox said. “We look forward to meeting the challenges that come with high expectations.”
Clayton
State
opens the season on Nov. 10 in an exhibition game at home against
Southern Polytechnic State. The Lakers officially open the 2007-08
season against Lincoln Memorial on Nov. 16 in the Eagle Club Classic
at Carson-Newman.
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