Clayton State women ranked 24th in Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25 poll
Lakers nationally ranked in preseason for the first time in program history

MORROW, Ga. — OCTOBER 20, 2006 — Over the last few seasons, the Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team has been ranked nationally in the Division II Top 25 poll periodically during the regular season. Now for the first time in program history, the Lakers are preseason nationally ranked.

Clayton State is ranked 24th in the nation in Division II, according to the Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25 poll. The Lakers are the only team in the Peach Belt Conference ranked in the preseason poll after last season’s 25-6 mark and a 17-3 record in the Peach Belt Conference. Head coach Dennis Cox’s team also advanced to the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the second straight season.

This season, Clayton State is also the preseason favorite to win the Peach Belt Conference.

“It’s an honor to be mentioned amongst the nation’s elite teams in the Division II Bulletin Preseason Poll,” said Cox, entering his third season at the Laker helm. “We will continue to work hard to be deserving of this recognition.”

The Lakers return eight veteran players from last season, headlined by senior guard Sharon Wiles, who was an All-Peach Belt selection last season and one of the nation’s leaders in steals with 113. Wiles is one of six seniors on this veteran Clayton State squad with is comprised mostly of junior and seniors.

Four Florida junior college standouts, led by 6-foot-4 center Lynette Jackson, make up the Clayton State recruiting class.

The Lakers open the season on Nov. 2 with an exhibition game at neighboring NCAA Division I Georgia State at 6 p.m. Clayton State opens the regular season at the Sleep Inn Classic at St. Leo on Nov. 17-18.