Women's Basketball picked to defend title

Hobbs, NEW MEXICO -

The New Mexico Junior College Women's Basketball team was picked to win the conference this season by the coaches. In the poll, released Tuesday, the Thunderbirds are the unanimous favorite to capture their 5th conference title.

The Thunderbirds are coming off a 29-4 season a year ago in which they won their fourth consecutive conference title and second consecutive regional title while qualifying for the NJCAA National Tournament.

This years team returns Alana da Silva, the 2014-2015 WJCAC Freshman of the year, as the lone starter. They will also return sharp shooter, Blair Richmond, who missed the entire 2014-2015 season as she sat out recovering from a knee injury. Nycolle Smith, Joneva Huey, and Camille Mills, all of whom say key minutes on last years team, return for their sophomore campaigns as well.

The Thunderbirds will open the season at home at the 5th Annual Tate Branch Classic. They face perennial NJCAA power Central Arizona on Friday, October 30, 2015 at 5:00pm.  The first 50 fans to the game will receive a free NMJC Thunderbirds Game day t-shirt.

The following is the results of the pre-season WJCAC poll as voted on by the coaches.

1.     New Mexico JC

2.     Midland

3.     Odessa

4.     South Plains

5.     Western Texas

6.     Howard

T7.    Clarendon

T7.    Frank Phillips