LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) announced the results of its women’s basketball preseason coaches’ poll, with the Clarion Golden Eagles predicted to finish seventh in the PSAC West division in 2017-18.

(Photo courtesy of Slippery Rock University Athletics)

Slippery Rock, which has three area players in Brooke Hinderliter of Redbank Valley, Madison Johnson of Keystone and LeeAnn Gibson of Karns City, is picked to finish sixth with the top six making the PSAC playoffs.

As for Clarion, the Golden Eagles return two starters from a year ago when the team went 15-14 overall and 12-10 in PSAC play to reach the conference tournament for the first time since the 2012-13 season. It was the first winning season for the Golden Eagles under head coach Jana Ashley, now entering her fourth season, and the first for the program since the 2009-10 campaign.

The Golden Eagles welcome back Jordan Bekelja and Amesha Harden-Pullium to lead a young squad this year. Both started every game a year ago, with Bekelja averaging 11.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 3.2 apg a season ago. Harden-Pullium was an offensive catalyst for the Golden Eagles with 9.8 ppg and 3.0 apg during the 2015-16 campaign.

The season begins on Friday, Nov. 10 when the Golden Eagles compete at a tournament hosted by Fairmont State, with games against Concord and the hosting Falcons scheduled. Clarion plays its home opener on Saturday, Nov. 18 against East Stroudsburg.

PSAC WBK West
1) IUP (8)
2) California (1)
3) Edinboro
4) Seton Hill
5) Gannon
6) Slippery Rock
7) Clarion
8) Pitt-Johnstown
9) Mercyhurst

PSAC WBK East
1) East Stroudsburg (7)
2) West Chester (2)
3) Kutztown
4) Bloomsburg
5) Shippensburg
6) Millersville
7) Lock Haven
8) Cheyney
9) Mansfield