Clarksville, Ark.-Both the Lady Eagles and Eagles were picked to finish second in the American Southwest Conference East Division, according to an ASC coaches preseason basketball coaches poll released this week by the conference office.
The Lady Eagles, who shared the East Division title with East Texas Baptist a year ago, finished last season with a 17-9 overall record and a 9-3 conference record. Junior forward Jenna Corbell, an ASC All-East division second team pick last year, and senior guard Kristy Watts, an honorable mention All-East division pick last season, are the lone starters off of a squad that advanced to the ASC tournament championship game a year ago. The Eagles, under first-year coach Matt O’Connor, returned to the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season last year. O’Connor’s squad also return two starters from last season’s team that finished with a 14-12 overall record and a 7-5 conference record. Guard Mandrell Howell returns for his junior season after earning ASC All-East division second team honors last season. Senior Ricky Johnson returns at the guard spot and was named honorable mention ASC All-East division last year. The Eagles will receive immediate help in Clarksville’s Michael Bollman. Bollman, a 6-7, 235-pound forward, transferred to Ozarks from Henderson State University. The Eagles will face the Akron Wingfoots in a exhibition game on November 12 at 7:00 p.m. in Clarksville. East Texas Baptist was picked to win the women’s East division while Mississippi College was picked to win the men’s East division.
Topics: Athletics