BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – University of Arkansas at Monticello senior basketball player Monica Perkins-Miller has been selected to the 2009 Preseason All-Gulf South Conference West Division team, while the Cotton Blossoms were predicted to finish third in the division.
 
Perkins-Miller (Houston, Texas) is one of three players selected to the preseason squad that earned first team All-GSC honors at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season. She joins Delta State’s Sarita Cooper and Harding’s Stacey Owens, while Delta State’s Veronica Walker and Ouachita Baptist’s A’Laeshia Adams earn their first honors. Southern Arkansas’ Goldie White, who was a second team All-GSC selection last season, also earned a spot on the preseason team.
 
After finishing 21-9 a season ago, including the team’s first ever appearance in the GSC Championship game and the second appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the Chris Ratcliff led Cotton Blossoms had two votes for second place, four votes for third place and one vote for fourth place in the preseason coaches poll.
 
Delta State was a unanimous selection for first place in the GSC-West with seven votes for the top spot. Ouachita Baptist followed with one vote for first place, four votes for second place and two votes for third place.
 
Below UAM in order are Arkansas Tech, Harding, Henderson State, Christian Brothers and Southern Arkansas.
 
Delta State was also picked to win its fifth consecutive overall conference championship with 11 votes. West Georgia had two votes and Arkansas Tech had one vote for the overall crown.
 
Valdosta State had three votes for first place and two votes for second place to earn the top spot in the GSC-East preseason poll.
 
The Cotton Blossoms started practice yesterday (October 15) and are set to open the 2009-10 season with three consecutive exhibition road games against NCAA Division I programs, including Louisiana-Monroe on November 5, Mississippi State on November 8 and Northwestern State on November 13.