Ashley Melson Selected to the Preseason All-SoCon Team

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Southern Conference coaches selected their preseason all-conference team and SoCon poll. The Georgia Southern women’s basketball team was picked to finish fifth in the conference by the coaches and the Southern Conference Media. The announcement came during the Southern Conference Basketball Media Day. The Lady Eagles finished last season with a 13-5 conference record and was the fourth seed in the Southern Conference Tournament.

Defending champion Chattanooga edged out Western Carolina for first place by only six points. The Lady Mocs have claimed at least a share of nine consecutive SoCon regular season titles and are currently in the midst of a 22-game conference winning streak. Chattanooga went undefeated through the SoCon last season but only return two starters from that team.

Western Carolina received three first place votes but is missing four key players from last year’s squad.

Georgia Southern senior Ashley Melson was named to the preseason all-conference team. She is the Lady Eagles’ top returning scorer with 9.3 points per game last season.

Mercedes Robinson of Davidson was selected as the preseason player of the year. She enters this season as the league’s top returning scorer and rebounder at 12.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.

The Lady Eagles get underway at Hanner Fieldhouse against Brewton-Parker on Saturday, November 15 at 1 p.m. For all of your women’s basketball ticket needs call 1-800-GSU-WINS.

2008-09 SoCon Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll

Place     School (1st)                        Points

1.           Chattanooga (8)                      98

2.           Western Carolina (3)               92

3.           Davidson                                77

4.           Samford                                 70

5.           Georgia Southern                    62

6.           College of Charleston              52

7.           UNC Greensboro                    42

8.           Furman                                  35

9.           Wofford                                  34

10.         Appalachian State                   22

11.         Elon                                       21

2008-09 SoCon Women’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team

Mercedes Robinson, Davidson – Preseason Player of the Year

Shanara Hollinquest, Chattanooga

Brooke Johnson, Western Carolina

Kristen Boone, UNC Greensboro

Emily London, Samford

Jade Hughes, College of Charleston

Liz Miller, Wofford

Ashley Melson, Georgia Southern

Lauren Powell, Western Carolina

Mahagony Williams, Wofford

Brittany Mixon, Appalachian State

Category: Women's Basketball

Published on Thursday, 30 October 2008 00:11