Norcross, Ga. – Technically it can be said that for the seventh consecutive year Lee University has been voted by the coaches to win the SSAC women's basketball championship.  Lee was voted to win the overall conference in a very close vote over Shorter University. The coaches in the East Division, however, have predicted Shorter to win the division.  

Lee and head coach Marty Rowe finished the 2010-11 campaign with an overall record of 25-7 and 14-2 mark in the conference. Lee returns three starters in senior guards Angela Spann and Kally Eldrige, as well as sophomore guard Hollie German. Coach Rowe has added a lot of depth and skill with this year’s recruiting class.

Shorter was picked to finish second in a very close vote. Shorter returns seven seniors from a team that finished 24-8 (13-3), Top returners for the Hawks include seniors Damisha Moore (10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game) and Kelly Ellison (10.3 points and 5.4 assists per game), and junior Shelby Ferrer (8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds). Veteran head coach Vic Mitchell returns for his 21st season at the helm of the Shorter University women’s basketball program.

The coaches selected Belhaven University to lead the West Division. The Blazers finished the 2010-11 season with an overall record of 24-9 and a conference record of 10-2. The top returner for Belhaven is Regena Jackson, a 5-7 senior who averaged 17.2 points, 5.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.

A team to watch closely could be Faulkner University. Coming of their inaugural season, Faulkner had an overall record of 20-10 and a conference record of 6-6. Faulkner returns all key players including 6-3 junior Britteny Carter, who averaged 21 points and 15 rebounds per game. In addition to these returning starters the Lady Eagles also added several talented newcomers to their roster.

This year's championship tournament will feature the top 5 teams from each division and will again be held in Rome, Georgia from February 29 through March 3. All games will be held at the Forum. Floyd County is the presenting sponsor of this event.

Go to www.ssacsports.com for more information.