BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2009-10 Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference honors Monday with Prairie View A&M F Gaati Werema voted as Preseason Player of the Year and Alabama A&M G Katrich Williams selected Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Honors were voted on by the league's coaches, sports information departments and selected members of the media. Joining Werema and Williams on the first team was Prairie View A&M guard Candice Thomas, Southern forward Freda Allen, and Alabama State center Shanice Merritt.
Named second-team preseason All-SWAC were guards Dominique Smith (Prairie View A&M) and LaQuisha Slaton (Arkansas-Pine Bluff), forwards Tanika Jackson (Alabama State) and Dominisha Johnson (Alabama A&M) and center Shay Holmes (Arkansas-Pine Bluff).
The Lady Lions were picked to finish fourth overall marking their highest preseason selection in school history. Arkansas-Pine Bluff will begin their season on Friday, Nov. 13th on the road at Mississippi State.
Predicted Order of Finish
(first place votes in parentheses)
Prairie View A&M (13) 156
Southern (1)
Alabama State
Univ. Ark-Pine Bluff (1)
Alabama A&M (1)
Texas Southern
Miss. Valley State
Grambling State
Jackson State
Alcorn State
