By JEREMY SHORT
TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — The Northeastern State women’s basketball team was picked to finish third in the Lone Star Conference North Division in the preseason poll announced on Tuesday.
The RiverHawks received 125 points, including two first-place votes, to finish behind Central Oklahoma and Southeastern Oklahoma. Texas A&M-Commerce;, Texas Women’s, East Central, Southwestern Oklahoma and Cameron were picked behind NSU.
“The teams that were ranked ahead of us are real experienced teams,” said NSU womens coach Randy Gipson. “I don’t put a lot of stock in preseason rankings.”
West Texas A&M; was tabbed as the preseason champion in the LSC South. Tarleton State, Abilene Christian, Angelo State, Texas A&M-Kingsville;, Midwestern State and Eastern New Mexico were picked behind the Lady Buffs.
SEOSU senior forward Destiny Brown was named the preseason LSC North Player of the Year, while Abilene Christian’s Jamie Meyer took the honor in the South.
“She’s [Brown] had an outstanding career up to this point,” said Gipson. “I think she’s very deserving of that mention.”
On the mens’ side, Northeastern State was picked to finish fifth in the LSC North behind UCO, Texas A&M-Commerce;, Cameron, Southwestern Oklahoma and Southwestern Oklahoma. Southeastern Oklahoma and East Central were picked to finish sixth and seventh in the division.
Midwestern State was picked as the preseason champion in the South. Angelo State, Tarleton State and Texas A&M-Kingsville; also received first-place votes.
Texas A&M-Commerce;’s Justin Wilkerson was named the LSC North Preseason Player of the Year and Angelo State’s Shavar Burch received the honor in the South. RiverHawks forward Jason Jones received more than one vote in the balloting.
The NSU women’s team kicks off its season on November 6 against Gannon at the Disney Tipoff Classic in Orlando, Florida. The men kickoff on November 16 against Ecclesia.
“I feel like we’re capable of winning any game we play,” said Gipson.
