BIRMINGHAM – Head coaches from around the Gulf South Conference have picked the University of North Alabama women’s basketball team to finish third in the East Division according to the league’s preseason release. UNA received three votes for second place and two for third to finish with 18 points in the preseason ballot.

Defending East Division champion West Georgia edged the Lions for second place with 22 points while Valdosta State was listed as the division’s favorite with 23 points. The Lady Blazers received three votes for first place and two for second while UWG garnered three for first, one for second and one for third. West Alabama (12 points), West Florida (10 points) and Alabama-Huntsville (five points) rounded out the preseason standings.

Delta State, the reigning GSC champion was selected to win the West Division, as well as the overall title. The Lady Statesmen got seven first-place votes in the division and 11-of-14 nods to take home the overall crown.

Ouachia Baptist was second in the West after receiving a first-place vote, as well as four votes for second and two for third to finish with 41 points. The rest of the division was made up of Arkansas-Monticello (36 points), Arkansas Tech (33 points), Harding (24 points), Henderson State (20 points), Christian Brothers (11 points) and Southern Arkansas (10 points).

North Alabama also had two players received preseason All-GSC honors. Senior guard Jameica York and sophomore forward Dana Jackson were each awarded the preseason honor. York was a second-team All-GSC selection a year ago, while Jackson was named the East Division’s Freshman of the Year.