New Orleans, La. – Xavier enters the 2014-15 season as the favorite to win their fifth GCAC regular season championship in six seasons, according to a vote by the league’s coaches.
The Gold Nuggets return just one starter from last season’s 24-10 GCAC Tournament Championship team; Whitney Gathright, the GCAC’s Preseason Player of the Year but the vote shows the respect the league has for head coach Bo Browder and his program. They received seven of eight first-place votes. Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team.
Southern University at New Orleans edged out Philander Smith for second place, followed by Edward Waters in fourth place. Last season’s regular season champion Talladega placed fifth, followed by Dillard, Tougaloo, and Voorhees.
Xavier junior guard Whitney Gathright, who led the Gold Nuggets in scoring (12.3 points) last season, was voted the GCAC Preseason Player of the Year. Gathright finished just one vote ahead of senior forward Brandy Broome and junior guard Victoria Davis, both of SUNO. Broome and Davis join Gathright on the Preseason All-GCAC team along with Edward Waters senior forward Amber Antoine and Philander Smith senior forward Jerrica Scott.
With the departure of Fisk this season, the conference will play with 8 members. The GCAC regular season will consist of a 14-game conference schedule. The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Basketball Championship will be played Friday, March 6 through Sunday, March 8, 2015.
GCAC 2014-15 Preseason Poll (First-place votes in parenthesis)
Team Points
- Xavier (7) 63
- SUNO 50
- Philander Smith 49
- Edward Waters (1) 39
- Talladega 33
- Dillard 26
- Tougaloo 16
- Voorhees 12
2014-15 Preseason All-GCAC Team
Whitney Gathright, Xavier
Amber Antoine, Edward Waters
Brandy Broome, SUNO
Victoria Davis, SUNO
Jerrica Scott, Philander Smith
Others receiving votes: Rashida Ademosu, Dillard; Alena Evans, Dillard; Rubyunnia McHenry, Philander Smith; Ciara Morgan, Dillard; Re’Yada Stinner, Tougaloo; Keylantra Taylor, Dillard
GCAC Preseason Player of the Year
Whitney Gathright, Xavier
Courtesy: GCAC
