East Stroudsburg, IUP Top PSAC Women's Basketball Preseason Polls
2017-18 PSAC Women's Basketball Preseason Information Packet
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- East Stroudsburg and IUP have been selected to win the Eastern and Western Division, respectively, for the 2017-18 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball season. The favorites were announced by the league office Thursday morning along with the preseason coaches’ poll.
PSAC East Preview
EASTERN DIVISION
The East Stroudsburg Warriors grabbed the top slot in the poll after receiving seven of the nine possible first-place votes. Coach Diane Decker enters her third season at ESU and returns a pair of first-team all-conference selections in Imani Brown and Noelle Powell. The duo combined to average 26.3 points per contest while leading the Warriors to a 19-9 (14-8 PSAC) record. ESU averaged 72.1 points per contest, which marked the second-best in the league in during the 2016-17 season.
West Chester swiped the remaining two first-place votes and is slotted second in the poll. Coach Kiera Wooden returns a trio of seniors, including first-team all-conference representative Porscha Speller. Speller enjoyed a solid season after producing 13.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest. The Golden Rams ranked fifth in field goal percentage (41.7) while posting an overall record of 10-17.
Kutztown was picked third and return reigning PSAC East Freshman of the Year, Sierra Taylor. Taylor averaged 11.2 points per game while the Golden Bears closed out last season with wins in six of their final eight contests. Janet Malouf’s squad paced the league from the charity stripe, knocking down 75.6% of their attempts.
Bloomsburg is slated fourth and returns seven players following an 11-17 campaign. The Huskies rallied from a sluggish start and won 10 of their final 15 games. Coach Alison Tagliaferri’s team will be led by a trio of juniors, including guard Alyssa Mack. Mack averaged 13.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
Shippensburg earned the No. 5 spot after claiming the PSAC East crown last season and posting a 24-7 record. Coach Kristy Trn will have to replace all five starters and will boast a lineup with nine freshmen. The Raiders led the league in scoring defense (56.2) and their offense knocked down a league-best 46.6 percent of their shots.
Millersville grabbed sixth and will be led by senior Alayah Hall. Hall averaged 13.1 points per game. Coach Mary Fleig earned her 600th career win last season.
Lock Haven was picked seventh and looks to build off an impressive defensive campaign. The Lady Eagles defense stifled the opposition and led the league in field goal percentage (37.6) and three-point field percentage (26.2).
Cheyney earned eighth and returns a trio of starters while Mansfield was slated ninth and returns four seniors, including Brielle Kelly, who averaged 13.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest.
PSAC West Preview
WESTERN DIVISION
IUP earned eight first-place votes and sits atop the west after winning its fifth PSAC title last season. The Crimson Hawks seek to repeat as they return all five starters. Four of the five starters averaged double figures while the team shot a league-best 36.7 percent from behind the arc. Coach Tom McConnell’s team advanced to the NCAA Atlantic Region semifinals and finished the season 24-7 (18-4). Junior Carolyn Appleby paced the team with 14.7 points per contest while teammate Megan Smith chipped in with 14.1.
California grabbed a first-place vote after finishing 30-4 and advancing to the NCAA Atlantic Region finals. Coach Jess Strom’s team will return three starters, including first-team all-conference representative Seairra Barrett. Barrett posted 18.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Edinboro is slated third after an impressive 21-9 season and returns three starters. Coach Stan Swank’s team finished in the top three in scoring offense and defense while averaging 38.5 rebounds per contest. Senior Ciara Rosten boasted 11.9 points and 6.4 rebounds.
Seton Hill earned fourth and return a trio of seniors. Jenna Kaufman will lead the Griffins after notching 15.2 points per game. Coach Mark Katarski earned PSAC West Coach of the Year after his team qualified for the PSAC Tournament for the fourth consecutive season.
Gannon swiped fifth and returns five starters. The Lady Knights are 63-20 at home over the last six seasons and will be led by senior guard Maggie Mitchell. Mitchell dropped 17.3 points while 4.1 rebounds.
Slippery Rock is slotted sixth and returns a trio of starters. Sophomore Brooke Hinderliter looks to build off of her freshman campaign, where she averaged 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds.
Clarion, Pitt-Johnstown and Mercyhurst rounded out the poll.
The 2017-18 regular season commences Friday, November 10th.
PSAC Women’s Basketball East Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
1) East Stroudsburg (7)
2) West Chester (2)
3) Kutztown
4) Bloomsburg
5) Shippensburg
6) Milersville
7) Lock Haven
8) Cheyney
9) Mansfield
PSAC Women’s Basketball West Preseason Poll
1) IUP (8)
2) California (1)
3) Edinboro
4) Seton Hill
5) Gannon
6) Slippery Rock
7) Clarion
8) Pitt-Johnstown
9) Mercyhurst