Gannon gets top nod in PSAC West basketball polls
Observer-Reporter
Gannon was tabbed as the preseason favorite in both the PSAC West men’s and women’s basketball polls that were released Thursday.
The California men were picked to finish third in the West, and the Vulcan women picked for fourth in the preseason poll of the conference coaches.
The West Chester men were picked to win the East while Lock Haven is the East favorite in women’s play.
The Cal men finished behind Gannon, which received six first-place votes, and Indiana, which gained one first-place vote. Cal received the remaining first-place vote.
The Vulcans are coming off an injury-plagued 18-12 season. They finished second in the division and advanced to the semifinals of the PSAC tournament.
Cal has to replace two of the top perimeter players in the conference, including point guard Donald Whitehead Jr., the West’s player of the year last season. Whitehead Jr., guard Cam Polak and forward Keith Palek each transferred to Division I programs for their final season of eligibility.
Sophomore Jordyn Buchanan is the Vulcans’ leading returning scorer at 11.5 points per game. Bryson Lucas, the PSAC West’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, also returns.
The Cal women bring back only one starter, Alicia Young (12.7 ppg), from a team that went 16-12 a year ago. Head coach Jess Strom begins the year three wins shy of 300 for her career.
Following Gannon, which received seven first-place votes, in the West poll was Seton Hill and Indiana. Seton Hill received the other first-place vote.