LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) announced the result of its preseason women's basketball coaches poll today. Clarion was predicted to finish ninth in the PSAC West in 2021-22.
 
The Golden Eagles were afforded the opportunity to play a condensed schedule in Winter 2021, with a balance of newcomers and veterans seeing significant time on the court in that two-month span. Only five players remain from the last full season schedule, and they will be joined by nine players who either made their debuts earlier this year or are set to do so this fall.
 
One veteran who will buoy the line-up is Jada Smith, a starter in 2019-20 who opted out during the 2020-21 season. Smith was the Golden Eagles' leading rebounder with an average of 7.5 boards per game in her last season. Other veterans from Clarion's last true conference season include Haille Hart, Emily Hegedus, Olivia Boocks and Neely Whitehead, with the latter three playing significant time in the spring.
 
The majority of the roster, though, features players who are either making, or will make, their college basketball debuts in the 2021 calendar year. Among those who kicked things off this past January is Abby Gatesman, who finished the shortened 2021 schedule as Clarion's third leading scorer (10.9 points/game) and second-leading rebounder (6.6 rebounds/game), while playing a team-high 35.4 minutes per game. Heather Ansell and Allyson Kirby are two other freshmen from this spring. Rounding out the roster will be six newcomers making their Clarion debuts later this fall.
 
The season opens on Nov. 13, when Clarion takes on Fairmont State on the road. The home opener is slated for Wednesday, Nov. 17 when the Golden Eagles welcome West Liberty to Tippin Gym.
 
2021-22 Women's Basketball Preseason Polls
 
EAST
1. Shippensburg (5)
2. Shepherd (4)
3. Kutztown
4. East Stroudsburg
5. Lock Haven
6. Bloomsburg
7. West Chester
8. Millersville
9. Mansfield
 
WEST
1. Gannon (4)
2. IUP (4)
3. Cal U
4. Mercyhurst (1)
5. Seton Hill
6. Edinboro
7. Pitt-Johnstown
8. Slippery Rock
9. Clarion