2009-10 Media Guide
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Clayton State ranked 16th in Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25 for women’s basketball
Fourth straight season Lakers have been preseason nationally-ranked

MORROW, Ga. – October 7, 2009 – With the start of practice just a week away, the Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team received some good early season news on Tuesday. For the fourth straight year, the Lakers are preseason nationally-ranked in Division II.

The Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25 was released on Wednesday, and Clayton State checks in ranked 16th in the preseason poll. This is the second-highest ranking for the Lakers in the Division II Bulletin Top 25. Last season, Clayton State was ranked 21st, while the Lakers were ranked 12th in 2007-08 and 24th in 2006-07.

Clayton State returns two starters and five letterwinners off last season’s 26-7 squad that advanced to the NCAA Division II "Elite Eight" for the second time in three years. Add to that a stellar recruiting class of seven newcomers that should keep the Lakers at or near the top of the Peach Belt Conference this season.

"This kind of recognition always comes with mixed emotions for us," said Clayton State head coach Dennis Cox, 125-37 entering his sixth season at the Laker helm. "On the one hand, we are extremely flattered that we would be recognized at this time of year as potentially one of the best teams in the country. That is a tribute to all the great Laker teams that have gone before us and laid the groundwork for respectability in the eyes of our peers.

"However, we know also that we have yet to win a game this year, and we take nothing for granted, especially with the tough schedule that awaits us, including what I believe will be the strongest Peach Belt Conference that we have ever faced."

The Lakers are one of two teams from the Peach Belt Conference ranked in the preseason Top 25. Columbus State is ranked 25th, while both Francis Marion and Lander were listed as "teams to watch." Michigan Tech, a fellow "Elite Eight" participant with Clayton State last year, was selected as the preseason No. 1 team in the Top 25.

Clayton State opens the 2009-10 season with a preseason exhibition game at Georgia on Nov. 8. The Lakers officially open the season on Nov. 25 against Albany State at the Athletics and Fitness Center.