Spartans Selected as Preseason SSC Favorite

ORLANDO, Fla. - Led by a returning cast of five starters, The University of Tampa women's basketball team has been chosen as the favorite to win the Sunshine State Conference.

The 2007 SSC tournament champions received a total of 34 points as the Spartans edged out defending regular-season co-champion Rollins, which received 39 points. Defending co-champion Florida Tech (56) was picked third, followed by Barry (84) and Nova Southeastern (94). Florida Southern (98) was tabbed sixth, and Lynn (103) was slated seventh. Saint Leo (146) and Eckerd (156) rounded out the poll.

Voting for the women's basketball preseason poll was conducted among the league's head women's basketball coaches and sports information directors.

Tampa returns all five starters from last year's team that finished with a 23-8 overall record and a 12-4 SSC mark. The Spartans won the SSC tournament title and made an appearance in the NCAA Division II Women's South Regional.

Leading the way for sixth-year UT head coach Tom Jessee will be senior center Sheena Walton, who earned all-SSC first team honors as a junior. Walton averaged 13.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per contest. She will be joined by senior guard DeShaydia Mackey, who ranked second on the squad with 12.7 points per game and pulled down an average of 4.8 rebounds per contest.

Another returning starter is senior forward Alexa Kane, who was named all-SSC second team and Tournament Most Valuable Player a year ago. Kane averaged 12.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Rounding out the returning lineup are senior forward Erica Woodard (9.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and senior guard Brittany Ridley (3.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.2 apg).