Cameron picked sixth in Preseason Poll
October 24, 2018
Cameron University Athletics
Kenton Means – Sports Information Director
RICHARDSON, Texas — After finishing last season sixth in the Lone Star Conference standings, the Cameron University women’s basketball team was picked to finish sixth again as the LSC Preseason Polls were released on Wednesday.
The Aggies finished the 2017-18 season with a 13-16 overall record, while going 11-9 in league contests. They have a strong crop of returners, including dominant post Lejha Smith, sharpshooter Ava Battese, and talented guards Amaka Nwakammaand Parfitt McNair. Also returning for CU is Sydney Ellis, Andrea Martinez, and Jazmin Luster.
Cameron’s new members include a few familiar names. Natalie Halbleib returns after sitting out all last season with an injury, while Savanna James returns after being away from the team last season. The Black and Gold has also brought in senior transfer and Cache, Okla. native Chelsea Heidebrecht, who spent her first three seasons at Harding. CU also added the talents of Western Texas College transfer McKenna Spikes and true freshmen Maighan Hedge, Julie Shalkowski, and Whitney Outon.
Aggie head coach Emma Andrews returns for her third season at the helm, while assistant coach Josh May is back for his third go around with CU. Joining them will be former Aggie and Lawton, Okla. native Kennedi Simien, who came on as a graduate assistant this fall.
CU received 177 total votes, while West Texas A&M was picked in the top spot with 324 total votes and 18 first place nods. Angelo State was picked second with seven first place votes, while Tarleton State received four top nods in third and Texas A&M-Commerce was picked fourth with a pair of first place marks.
Eastern New Mexico came in 22 votes ahead of the Aggies in fifth, while Texas Women’s was picked to finish seventh and MSU Texas eighth. UT Permian Basin, Texas A&M-Kingsville, and Western New Mexico were voted to finish in the bottom three of the conference standings.
ASU’s Marquita Daniels was picked the Preseason Player of the Year, coming in as the top vote on 10 of the 31 ballots. The Rambelle senior was the LSC Player and Newcomer of the Year last season, finishing with 15.2 points and 3.4 assists per game.
Cameron will begin their season at the LSC/Heartland Challenge in Wichita, Kan. where they will take on Newman on Nov. 9 and Oklahoma Christian on Nov. 10.
Kenton Means
Sports Information Director – Cameron University
2800 W. Gore Blvd., South Shepler 512
Lawton, OK 73505
Office – (580) 581-2303
Cell – (580) 583-2210
Fax – (580) 581-5537