BCSP Notes . . .
Jackson State sweeps SWAC preseason hoops
The Jackson State men's and women's basketball teams were picked as the favorites for the 2006-07 Southwestern Athletic Conference seasons and a player from each team was named the league's best as the conference unveiled its predictions for the upcoming season last week.
The Jackson State women received ten (10) first-place votes from the league's coaches to
narrowly outpoll defending champion
Southern, who received eight (8) first-place
votes in the preseason balloting. JSU and Southern tied for the
regular season title last year. Mississippi Valley State
got the other first--place vote and finished third.
The Jackson State men, with four (4) first-place votes, actually finished behind both defending champion Southern (7) and Alcorn State (6) in votes for the top spot but garnered a larger point total to earn the first-place designation. Southern and Alcorn State were followed by Arkansas-Pine Bluff, last year's tournament finalist that got one (1) first-place vote.
The league's top returning scorer, JSU senior guard Trey Johnson was chosen as the top men's individual player. The 6-5 sharpshooter averaged 23.5 points per game last season, second in the SWAC to departed Grambling guard Brion Rush. JSU senior forward Shelita Burns was picked as the top women's player. Burns averaged 16.7 points and 6.8 rebounds a year ago.
WOMEN
1) Jackson State 2) Southern 3) Mississippi Valley State 4) Alabama State
5) Alabama A&M 6) Grambling State 7) Alcorn State 8) Arkansas-Pine Bluff
9) Prairie View 10) Texas Southern
FIRST TEAM
G Christen West, 5-6, Sr., MVSU (13.1 ppg, 2.71 apg)
G Shante Stanford, 5-9, Sr., JSU (11.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg)
C Rasaan Powell, 6-2, Sr., Alcorn St. (18.4 ppg, 9.0 ppg)
F Shelita Burns, 6-1, Sr., JSU (16.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg)
F Portia Wilson, 5-10, Jr. MVSU (15.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg)
Defensive Player of the Year
C Lacey Cormier', 6-3, Sr., GSU (8.2 rpg, 2.62 bpg)
Player of the Year
F/C Shelita Burns, 6-1, Sr., JSU
MEN
1) Jackson State 2) Southern 3) Alcorn State 4) Arkansas-Pine Bluff
5) Alabama A&M 6) Alabama State 7) Mississippi Valley State 8) Texas Southern
9) Grambling State 10) Prairie View
First Team
G Trey Johnson, 6-5, Sr., JSU (23.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
G Delvin Thompson, 6-2, Sr., Alcorn St. (17.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
C Ronald Alexander, 7-0, Sr., MVSU (7.9 rpg, 2.93 bpg)
F William Byrd, 6-7, Jr., UAPB (11.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg)
F Christopher Moore, 6-8, Jr., TSU (12.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg)
© 2006 Azeez Communications, Inc.