Gorloks Picked as Women's Basketball Favorites

10/23/2024 11:02:13 AM

Preseason #1 - Webster University GORLOKS

 

Webster brings back three starters from last year's team that went undefeated in conference play and won the program's fifth straight regular season title. Although they do lose leading scorer Julie Baudendistel the Gorloks have 13 players returning including All-Conference forward Bethany Lancaster. The senior averaged 12.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last year while shooting 56-percent from the field. Two-time 6th Woman of the Year Emily Wilson is also back as is All-Defensive Team member Nysa Gilchrist. Other players that are next up include Claire Williams, Meghan Illingworth, Kaimyla Nolen, and Jena Stannard. The Gorloks team depth has long been a fixture that should be the same again this year as head coach Jordan Olufson brings in newcomers Rylee Denbow, Mattie Jones, Becca Johnson, Annie Sale, and Emily Kerce.

2024-25 Schedule

Preseason #2 - Westminster College BLUE JAYS

 

The Blue Jays return four starters from last year's squad; headlined by two-time SLIAC Player of the Year Annette Ramirez. The senior guard led the league in scoring at 20.8 points per game, adding 5.6 rebounds per game, 69 assists, and 71 steals. With just under 1,400 career points fans will be on record watch as she enters the season just 561 points shy of the SLIAC record. Avylina Powell-Qualo gives the Blue Jays one of the more athletic forwards in the league. She returns for her final season fully healthy after averaging 13.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game and earning All-Conference honors. Caagan Lockard was third on the team in scoring last year at 8.5 points per game while Olivia Hixson is back after starting 17 of 18 games last year. Head Coach Talisha Washington will work in newcomers Gizelle Carreto and Amonye Allen into the lineup. 

2024-25 Schedule

Preseason #3 - Greenville University PANTHERS

 

Head Coach Roy Mulholland returns all five starters and eight of his top ten players from last year's team that finished 3rd in the standings last season. All-Conference performers Savana Powell-Goodman and Carolina Hoffman form the foundation of the lineup. Powell-Goodman put up 14.5 points per game last year while finishing second in the league with 75 steals. Hoffman averaged 13.9 points and 3.7 assists per game as a sophomore. Alyssa Seymour and Mia deJesus give the Panthers some size inside while Natalie Iberg adds to the team's depth in the backcourt. New faces to watch include Jillian Hamilton, Zaylee Ramos, Mya Mann, and Baylie Joiner. 

2024-25 Schedule

Preseason #4 - Lyon College SCOTS

 

The Scots finished 4th in their first year with the SLIAC and bring back four starters from that squad. The team returns their top two scorers in Natalya Kaza and Savanna Lopez. Kaza averaged 16.0 points per game while leading the SLIAC with 54 three-pointers. Lopez put up 16.0 points per game while shooting a conference best .599 from the field and leading the league with 53 blocked shots. The defense continues to the guards where Samantha Taylor recorded a SLIAC record 130 steals while averaging 13.6 points per game as a freshman. Zharia Childress also returns after averaging 10.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Head coach Casey Fowler welcomes in Dalye Hambelton, Haven Cooper, and Molly Mason to the program.

2024-25 Schedule

Preseason #5 - Principia College PANTHERS

 

Two-time All-Conference guard Taylor Brown leads the way for head coach Ramiro Dominguez. The junior put up 13.4 points per game while shooting 45-percent from the field and leading the team with 69 assists. Ariana Williams is back after averaging 11.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game and was an All-Defensive Team selection. Trinniti Matthews made an immediate impact in her first year with the program, averaging 11.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Guards Carolina Rojas and Genesis Santiago are also back. Lamiya Terrell, Hannah Myers, Jasmine Burkes, and Rhyan Muldrew are new to the team and will see time in the lineup. 

2024-25 Schedule

Preseason #6 - Spalding University GOLDEN EAGLES

 

Head Coach Ben Arsenault led the Golden Eagles to .500 record in the SLIAC during his first year at the helm, the first time the program accomplished that in a full season since 2019-20. All five starters are back with Sydney Raque leading the way after earning All-Conference honors last year. The junior guard averaged 14.8 points per game last season and is joined in the starting lineup by Isis Rodgers. Rodgers has a nose for the ball, averaging 10.3 rebounds per game, while handing out a team-high 74 assists. Zaneiya Batiste, Ma'Kaylia Lute, and Maelyn Ridener round out the list of returners. Alyssa Hitch and Gabby Douglass are a couple of new players that should pick up valuable minutes. 

2024-25 Schedule

Preseason #7 - Eureka College RED DEVILS

 

With a full summer to recruit head coach Mike Hedrick is anticipating a jump in his team from his first year at the helm. The Red Devils return three starters but bring in 19 newcomers including transfers Maxine Najera, Elena Redgate, Miya Webb, and Alyssa Zarello. Leading the list of returners is Josie Ness, a junior forward, that averaged a double-double at 10.0 points and 12.3 rebounds per game last season; the only player in the SLIAC to do so. Brin Hultz (11.8 ppg) led the team in scoring while connecting on 33 three-pointers while Ahsley Wilcox (11.1 ppg) was second in scoring and first in assists in her first year with the program. Among first-year players joining the team are Allanah Jackson, Niasha Rutherford, Miracle Armstrong, and Alante Wright.

2024-25 Schedule

Preseason #8 - Mississippi University for Women OWLS

 

The Owls will be led by first-year head coach Eric Vaughn. He takes over a program that brings back two starters including All-Conference performer Conley Langford. The senior guard averaged 19.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while hitting on 36-percent of her three's. Also back are Claire Leak (12.8 ppg), Miracle Joiner (6.2 rpg), and sisters Aaliyah and Leileigh Moody. Top newcomers include Calysia Phillips, Reshya Hudson, and Jaquasia Dorrough.

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Preseason #9 - Fontbonne University GRIFFINS

 

Ja'Mise Bailey is the lone returner for head coach Mike Fitzgerald. Bailey, a guard, is one of the more well-rounded players in the league; averaging 16.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while also recording 71 assists and 55 steals last year. Bri Beamer averaged 3.9 points and 2.0 rebounds per game last season. Also returning to the team is Sam Foppe, who did not play last season, but amassed 45 games played in the previous two years. Piper Fitzgerald makes her Griffin debut after missing last season with an injury. The Griffins roster will also include several volleyball players, giving them athletic depth. 

2024-25 Schedule

Preseason #10 - Blackburn College BEAVERS
 

The Beavers youth movement continues this year but will include several experienced players. Led by leading scorer, Kailynn Kruep, head coach Allen Dehority returns four starters. Kruep averaged 11.6 points per game last year as a freshman, connecting on 26 three-pointers and recording 48 assists and 38 steals. Fellow returners Kenadee Frey, Gracie Jent, Zoe Mitchell, Caidy Tuetken, and Ella Wilson are all back after picking up big minutes last season. 

2024-25 Schedule