The Southwestern Athletic Conference Preseason Teams were announced on Wednesday, and the defending Women's SWAC Tournament Champion Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers were well-represented. Senior forward Latia Williams was selected as the SWAC Preseason Player of the Year and as a first team forward, while senior Kiara Etienne was selected as a first team guard.
Both players look to lead the Lady Panthers to their third-consecutive SWAC Tournament Championship as the the team was picked to finish first in the preseason poll. Reigning SWAC Tournament MVP Latia Williams, who has been to three NCAA Tournaments, averaged 14.2 points and eight rebounds per contest on the wing.
Williams led the Lady Panthers in scoring, backed up by slashing two-guard Etienne (13 ppg). Etienne was second on the team with a .343 three-point percentage and led the team with 58 three-point field goals made. She was also second on the team with an 1.6 steals average per game.
Third-year coach Toyelle Wilson, who has been to the NCAA Tournament in both of her first two seasons, also returns every player from last season's championship team, including All-SWAC Tournament teamer and sophomore center Larissa Scott.
Scott bloomed late and averaged 10.3 points and 11.3 rebounds in the SWAC Tournament and put up 5.7 points and 6.6 rebounds for the year. The Lady Panthers, however, added three players over 6-2 to the roster, including 6-4 freshman center Shamiya Brooks from West Point, Ga. and a 6-3 transfer from Oakland, Calif., Tonisha Lacey, to elevate the frontcourt play.
