Photo by Jim Hogue| Photo by Jim Hogue |
Coming off the first NCAA Division II semifinal appearance by a Sunshine State Conference women’s basketball team, Rollins has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the league title in 2012-13.
The Tars picked up a total of 188 points and 13 first-place votes in a preseason poll conducted among conference coaches and sports information directors. Rollins was the SSC regular-season co-champion and tournament champion in 2011-12.
Nova Southeastern was tabbed second in the preseason poll and collected the remaining five first-place votes. Tampa took the third spot with 131 points. Florida Tech occupied the fourth slot with 117 points.
The next four positions in the poll were separated by just 14 points. Florida Southern appeared at No. 5 with 88 points. Eckerd was projected to finish sixth with 83 points. Lynn was slated seventh with 78, followed closely by Barry in the eighth slot with 74. Saint Leo rounded out the poll.
Rollins returns three starters from the squad that posted a 28-6 overall record and a 12-4 SSC mark. Among the returnees is last season’s SSC Newcomer of the Year, Ashley Jones. A junior, Jones led the Tars with 11.9 points per game in her first season as a transfer. She also contributed 3.9 rebounds per game. Also returning from last season’s starting rotation is senior guard Tera McDaniel. She averaged 7.0 points and a team-high 3.2 assists.
Another key veteran for Rollins will be junior Sarah Blackburn, who came off the bench to average 7.9 points and a team-best 4.5 rebounds.
Nova Southeastern also returns three starters from its squad that finished the 2011-12 campaign with a 17-11 overall record and an 8-8 SSC slate. Leading the way will be All-SSC first-team selection Meixandra Porter, who led the Sharks with 14.8 points per game. A senior, Porter also chipped in 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per contest. Reigning SSC Freshman of the Year Danielle Robinson tallied 13.2 points and 3.8 boards per game. Junior Jasmine Wilkins registered 9.5 points and a team-best 7.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per outing.
2012-13 SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE PRESEASON WOMEN’S BASKETBALL POLL
Rank – Team, Points (1st Place Votes)
1 – Rollins, 188 (13)
2 – Nova Southeastern, 165 (5)
3 – Tampa, 131
4 – Florida Tech, 117
5 – Florida Southern, 88
6 – Eckerd, 83
7 – Lynn, 78
8 – Barry, 74
9 – Saint Leo, 48