NORCROSS, Ga. – The Southern States Athletic Conference released the 2012 Women’s Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll, on Friday, November 2^nd. The coaches poll consisted of the head coach from each institution ranking the SSAC overall and their schools division. Lee University topped the ranks with 196 points followed by Faulkner with 173 and Loyola in a close third with 170. Divisionally, Lee topped the East with 55 points followed by Emmanuel with 45. In the West, Faulkner narrowed out Loyola by a margin of three points, 34 and 31 respectively.

Lee University enters the 2012-13 season ranked ninth nationally in the 2012 NAIA DIWBB Top-25 Preseason Poll. The Lady Flames finished the 2011 campaign with an overall record of 30-4 and a SSAC record of 19-1. In the 2011-12 SSAC Conference Tournament, the Lady Flames fell in the finals to Belhaven. Lee’s top returners for the 2012-13 season are  Hollie German, Jenna Adams, Mary Jackson, and Karley Miller. Top newcomers for the Lady Flames include Christina Johnson, Caroline Smith, and Melanie Barker.

Faulkner University enters the 2012-13 season ranked twenty-fifth in the 2012 NAIA DIWBB Top-25 Preseason Poll. The Lady Eagles finished the 2011 campaign with an overall record of 23-5 and a SSAC record of 14-4. In the 2011-12 SSAC Conference Tournament, the Lady Eagles fell to Shorter University in a double overtime battle. The Lady Eagles are returning Brittney Carter, Nyla Johnson, and Spenser Cantrell. Top newcomers for the Lady Eagles include  Shamonte Lanfair, Erichea Barnes, Shannon Evans, and Jasmine Lee-Stackhouse.

                Rank      School                                                                                  Points

1.          Lee University                                                                      196

2.          Faulkner University                                                               173

3.          Loyola University                                                                  170

4.          Emmanuel College                                                                 145

5.          Coastal Georgia                                                                    133

6.          Auburn Montgomery                                                             120

7.          William Carey                                                                         117

8.          Belhaven                                                                                 99

9.          Southern Wesleyan                                                                91

10.      Brenau                                                                                    85

11.      Southern Poly                                                                          82

12.      Mobile                                                                                      52

13.      Brewton-Parker                                                                      47

14.      Spring Hill                                                                                47

15.      Truett-McConnell                                                                     22

                East        School                                                                                  Points

1.          Lee                                                                                         55

2.          Emmanuel                                                                               45

3.          Coastal Georgia                                                                     42

4.          Southern Wesleyan                                                               37

5.          Brenau                                                                                   33

6.          Southern Poly                                                                        26

7.          Brewton-Parker                                                                    16

8.          Truett-McConnell                                                                   16

                West     School                                                                                  Points

1.          Faulkner                                                                               34

2.          Loyola                                                                                  31

3.          Auburn Montgomery                                                            24

4.          William Carey                                                                       21

5.          Belhaven                                                                             18

6.          Mobile                                                                                  10

7.          Spring Hill                                                                            10