Women's Hoops Tabbed Preseason #11

After back-to-back trips to the NJCAA D-II National Tournament, the Lady Lakers women's basketball program has earned a preseason ranking of #11.

The team returns eight players from last season, in which they went on to earn a 14-seed after a 29-1 season, while winning both an MCCAA and Region XII Championship. 

The Lakers return their two leading scorers from a season ago. Rachel Resio is now a sophomore from Saginaw, who averaged 14.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 steals per game last year. Chloe Watson averaged 14.3 points per game on 46% shooting from the field. Watson also averaged 5.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Kahli Heuker, Addysen Gray, and Paige Ebels each also contributed over 7 points per game last season and return for the Lakers.

The Lakers will be battle tested by season's end with a strong schedule awaiting them come November 1st. The ladies will see preseason #6 Rock Valley College on the road and #3 Mesa Community College both in their first four non-conference games. In December, they'll square off with both Jackson College and Lansing Community College, who both received votes in the preseason polls. They'll then take on the MCCAA Northern Conference slate, in which they went 13-1 last season. Their only loss in conference play in 2023-24 was on the road to Bay College, who they'll see twice this season, and who's receiving votes in the preseason polls.

Between the talent-filled returning sophomore class, and the strong newcomers for the Lakers, they'll look to make some noise this season and return back to the NJCAA Tournament in Joplin, Missouri.