October 19, 2004

The USA South Athletic Conference has announced the results of its 2004 men's and women's basketball pre-season polls. 

On the women's side, Greensboro has been picked to win the Conference.  The Christopher Newport men and Ferrum women are predicted to finish second.  The Methodist men have been predicted to finish first this season. 

The poll is voted on by the basketball coach at each school.  The Monarch men received four first-place votes, while the Pride women received three. 

The GC women posted a 13-14 overall record for the 2003-2004 season, including going 7-9 in Conference action. Jason Tuggle, beginning his third year as The Pride Coach, and his team open at NCAA Division I High Point on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.

Last year, the MC men finished first in the regular season and won the USA South tournament.  The Pride men posted a 12-13 mark, the best in 10 seasons, in 2003-04. First year Head Coach Rusty LaRue and his squad host the Courtyard USAS-GASC Classic on Nov. 19 and 20th to open the season.

The 2004 USA South Women's Basketball Pre-Season Poll follows (first place votes): 

1 Greensboro 44 (3) 
2 Ferrum 41 (2) 
3 Christopher Newport 38 (1) 
4 Shenandoah 32 (2) 
5 Methodist 28 
6 Peace 19 
7 N.C. Wesleyan 14 
8 Averett 8 

The 2004 USA South Men's Basketball Pre-Season Poll follows (first place votes): 

1 Methodist 33 (4) 
2 Christopher Newport 29 (1) 
3 Shenandoah 28 (1) 
4 Greensboro 24 (1) 
5 N.C. Wesleyan 15 
6 Ferrum 11 
7 Averett 7 

--PRIDE--