BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Southern University was selected topped the 2013-14 Southwestern Athletic Conference women's basketball preseason poll of the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
The announcment was made by the Southwestern Athletic Conference on Wednesday, October 16, during its annual media teleconference.
Southern tallied 145 points, including six first-place votes, while Prairie View A&M was selected to finish second collected 136 points.
Texas Southern tacked on 131 points with five first-place votes for a predicted third-place finish followed by Mississippi Valley State with 126 points to finish fourth receiving five votes for first.
The remaining rankings on the poll include: Grambling State (115 points), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (95 points), Alabama State (93 points), Jackson State (92 points), Alabama A&M (88 points) and Alcorn State (50 with one first-place vote).
2013-14 All-SWAC Preseason Women's Basketball Team
Joanna Miller (Grambling State) and Quentori Alford (Alabama State) spotlight the 2012-13 Preseason All-SWAC first and second teams.
Miller was selected as the 2013 Preseason Player of the Year and Alford was tabbed Defensive Player of the Year.
Last year, Miller led the Lady Tigers and the SWAC in scoring with 17.3 points, three-point field goals and three-point field goal percentage while averaging 4.9 rebounds. Her efforts placed her among the top 50 in the country in three-point field goals made. Starting in 22 of 26 games played last season, Alford finished first on the team in rebounds (252) and blocks (51), averaging 9.7 rebounds per game. She shot 41 percent from the floor and a 59 percent free-throw percentage.
In addition, both Miller and Alford were selected to the All-SWAC Preseason first team.
The preseason first team also features guard, Joncyee Sanders (Mississipp Valley State), with forwards Jasmine Sanders (Alabama A&M) and Larissa Scott (Prairie View A&M).
The second team includes guards Kendra Coleman (Southern) and Brianna Sidney (Texas Southern), forwards Jasmyne Sanders (Mississippi Valley State) and Ayanna Hardy-Fuller (Jackson State) with Jasmine Jefferson (Southern) closing the selections at the center position.
2013-2014 SWAC Women's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
(Selected by SWAC Head Basketball Coaches and SID's)
Team Points (First Place Votes)
1. Southern 145 (6)
2. Prairie View A&M 136 (2)
3. Texas Southern 131 (5)
4. Mississippi Valley State 126 (5)
5. Grambling State 115
6. Arkanasas-Pine Bluff 95
7. Alabama State 93
8. Jackson State 92
9. Alabama A&M 88
10. Alcorn State 50 (1)
2013-2014 Preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Team
(Selected by SWAC Head Basketball Coaches and SID's)
Preseason SWAC Player of the Year: Joanna Miller - Grambling State
Preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year: Quentori Alford - Alabama State
FIRST TEAM
Name Position Team
Joanna Miller G Grambling State
Joncyee Sanders G Mississippi Valley State
Jasmine Sanders F Alabama A&M
Larissa Scott F Prairie View A&M
Quentori Alford C Alabama State
SECOND TEAM
Name Position Team
Kendra Coleman G Southern
Brianna Sidney G Texas Southern
Jasmyne Sanders F Mississippi Valley State
Ayanna Hardy-Fuller F Jackson State
Jasmine Jefferson C Southern
Source: http://www.swac.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27400&ATCLID=209284664