Hawks Picked 6th In CCS Preseason Coaches Poll

ATLANTA, Ga.- Following a 2024-25 season that saw the Hawks finish 11-15 overall, Huntingdon Women's Basketball has been picked to finish 6th in the Collegiate Conference of the South, as voted by the league's coaches.

After capturing both the regular season and tournament titles last winter, Piedmont will begin the 2025 campaign as the preseason favorite in the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS). The Lions collected 61 points and five first-place votes in a poll of the league’s nine head coaches, edging out Asbury by a single point for the top spot.
 
Piedmont is coming off an impressive 20-8 season that included a 14-2 record in CCS play and a championship run that saw the Lions cut down the nets on their home court after a 64-51 win over Belhaven. The victory marked the seventh conference title for head coach Jamie Purdy, spanning three different leagues. Piedmont went on to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament, where its season ended in the opening round against Randolph-Macon. The Lions return a talented core led by Alexandria Willis, an All-CCS Second Team honoree, along with seniors Kelsey Banks and Ava Hunter, two of the team’s top returning scorers.
 
Asbury claimed second in the poll with 60 points and four first-place votes after sharing a piece of the 2024 CCS regular season title with Piedmont. The Eagles finished 20-11 overall and 14-2 in league play before falling to Belhaven in the semifinals. Returning standouts include juniors Emily Sizemore, JuleighAnne Tucker, and Ma’Kiya West, each of whom earned All-CCS recognition. Asbury’s up-tempo style fueled a defense that led the league in steals (15.0 per game) and an offense that topped the CCS in both field goals made (789) and three-pointers (239).
 
Belhaven was voted third with 49 points following a 17-10 overall record and 12-4 conference finish. The Blazers advanced to the championship game with a semifinal win over Asbury before falling to Piedmont in the title matchup. Senior guard Savannah Hailey, a second team All-CCS performer, returns to lead a Belhaven offense that paced the league with 73.0 points per game last season.
 
Maryville earned 42 points to take fourth in the preseason poll. The Scots finished 11-15 overall and 10-6 in CCS play last year and will look to build momentum in their final season as members of the conference. Junior Ella Tharpe and senior Ella Haney — both All-CCS honorees — return to anchor the roster after the team’s early exit in the quarterfinals against LaGrange.
 
LaGrange collected 35 points to land fifth after finishing 15-12 (8-8 CCS) a season ago. The Panthers reached the semifinals of the conference tournament, earning a win over Maryville before falling to Piedmont. Now under the direction of new head coach Steve Kenner, LaGrange returns senior guard Laila Battle, an All-CCS selection, to lead an experienced lineup.
 
Huntingdon was picked sixth with 30 points after an 11-15 (7-9 CCS) season in 2024. The Hawks return senior guard Makayla Ford, a second team All-CCS performer, to guide a veteran roster that looks to take another step forward this season.
 
Covenant (22 points) was selected seventh, followed by Agnes Scott (17) and Wesleyan (8) to round out the 2025 preseason rankings.


Conference play commences in the new year on Friday, January 2, with several conference teams taking the court. Follow all the CCS basketball action with updated scores, schedules at standings at www. collegiateconferenceofthesouth .com.
 
The 2025-26 CCS Women’s Basketball Championship is slated to begin Tuesday, February 24 and culminates with the championship game on Saturday, February 28, hosted by the highest remaining seed.
 
A look at the 2025-26 CCS Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll:
 
2025-26 CCS Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
  

The Hawks open their 2025-26 season this Friday, November 7th, at home against Berry. Gametime is set for 6:00 PM CT.