WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PICKED TO FINISH FIRST IN NECC PLAY

WESTON, Mass.-The New England Collegiate Conference announced the preseason polls for the 2011-12 women's basketball season Thursday afternoon. The Regis College women's basketball team was picked to finished first in the NECC.

Regis, who is playing as a member of the NECC for the first season, was chosen by the conference coaches as the favorite for the upcoming women's basketball season. The Pride, who earned 93 points and seven first place votes, return all five starters from last year's 16-12 team and will be led by senior guard Steph Crawford (Rockland, Mass.) who enters the season with 928 points. The Pride with look to succeed in the new conference with strong senior leadership under Crawford and fellow senior Steph Wozmak (Auburn, N.H.) who returns after a season ending Injury.

Daniel Webster was the second choice with 88 points and two first place votes. The Eagles return three starters including last season's Player of the Year Alycia Gervais who averaged 13.9 points and 10.6 rebounds.

Becker placed third with 63 points. The Lady Hawks return four starters from last season, including the NECC Rookie of the Year Tatiana Mojica.

Three teams tied for fourth with 61 points including Lesley University which received one first place vote. The Lynx will be looking to replace four starters from a team that went 13-3 in conference play last season.

Led by a corps of five seniors, Elms is returning 12 players from its 2010-11 squad and has its sights set on making a fourth-consecutive trip to the NECC postseason tournament.

Newbury is poised to become a major NECC Championship contender in 2011-12 with Catherine O'Connell, the conference's leading rebounding, returning for her junior season along with their four seniors.

2011-12 NECC Women's Basketball Coaches Poll

1. Regis - 93 (7)
2. Daniel Webster - 88 (2)
3. Becker - 63
T-4. Lesley - 61 (1)
T-4. Elms - 61
T-4. Newbury - 61
7. Mitchell - 59
8. Southern Vermont - 33
9. Wheelock - 21
10. Bay Path - 10