BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Union University is tabbed as the favorite in the Gulf South Conference and Lee University second in the 2024-25 women's basketball preseason poll and All-GSC selections that were released today. Also, Lee's Mallory Hampton is a First Team All-GSC selection again.
For the fifth time in the last six seasons the GSC coaches picked Union as the team to beat. The Lady Bulldogs collected eight first-place votes and 118 total points. Lee, Union's longtime in-state rival, received four first-place nods and 114 points.
The Lady Bulldogs posted a 29-4 record last season, including a 22-2 mark in conference play, while the Lady Flames were 17-7 in GSC play and 21-11 overall. Lee lost twice to Union twice during the regular season last year but defeated the Lady Bulldogs in the GSC Tournament.
"This will be an exciting season for women's basketball in the GSC," proclaimed Lee Coach Marty Rowe as he viewed the voting for the first time. "We are optimistic about our team but there are no guarantees in this league. There has been some (coaching) turnover in the league since last season, which I think is exciting. Our group is going to need to improve daily and be ready for tough battles game in, game out."
Reigning regular season and tournament champion, Valdosta State was picked third with 89 points. West Florida was projected to finish fourth (87 points), while Auburn Montgomery came in at fifth (78 points). Delta State and conference newcomer Trevecca Nazarene were tied at sixth (60 points), while Mississippi College rounded out the top eight with 58 points.
The preseason selections were headlined by a trio of First Team All-GSC members from last season in Lee's Hampton, AUM's Allasha Dudley and Union's Macey Lee. Valdosta State's Victoria Ikenasio and Mississippi College's Karly Ivy joined them.
Said Coach Rowe, "I'm thrilled that coaches continue to recognize Mallory the way they do. She has earned it over the last two season, and we are looking forward to seeing her lead us again this year."
Not only did Hampton carry a 19.6 points per game average and post over 100 assists last season, she was named to the CSC Academic All-District Team and helped the Lady Flames earn the prestigious WBCA National Academic Award.
The 2024-25 campaign will be the 41st season of GSC women's basketball and the debut of Trevecca Nazarene in the Gulf South Conference. Teams will play a double-round robin conference schedule that will comprise of 20 matches over 12 weeks.
For the second consecutive season, GSC basketball will be streamed exclusive on FloSports and will be featured on the brand's new platform, FloCollege. For subscription prices and how to sign-up for FloCollege,
click here.
The season will officially begin November 8, with conference play slated to tip-off on December 5. Teams will have a winter break December 23-29. The GSC Women's Basketball Championship is set for March 4-9. To see the full schedule,
click here.
2024-25 GSC Women's Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Union (8) – 118 points
2. Lee (4) – 114 points
3. Valdosta State – 89 points
4. West Florida – 87 points
5. Auburn Montgomery – 78 points
t6. Delta State – 60 points
t6. Trevecca Nazarene – 60 points
8. Mississippi College – 58 points
9. Montevallo – 47 points
10. Alabama Huntsville – 44 points
11. West Alabama – 23 points
12. Christian Brothers – 14 points
First-place votes in parenthesis ( )
Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team
Mallory Hampton, G, Gr., Lee*
Allasha Dudley, G, Sr., AUM*
Macey Lee, G/F, Sr., Union*
Victoria Ikenasio, P, Sr., Valdosta State
Karly Ivy, G, Jr., Mississippi College
