Bibbs, Ashley Named to the HBCUAC All Preseason Team
Women’s basketball picked to finish second, men picked ninth in Coaches Poll.
NEW ORLEANS, La. (October 9, 2024) – Today, the HBCU Athletic Conference announced their Preseason All-Conference Basketball Teams, and Fisk University's Jayla Bibbs and Michael Ashley were honored. Bibbs, a first team recipient, was named to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference's All Defensive and Second Team. The Buchanan, Michigan native averaged 8.8 points per game last season, with eight games with double doubles in points and rebounds.
Ashley received second team honors. The Atlanta native played out of position but still averaged 8.0 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game. His rebound average placed him seventh among all HBCU players.
Their skills on the court, leadership, and dedication have earned them these honors. Both players will be the key to success for each program.
Women's Basketball All-HBCUAC First Team
Preseason Player of the Year: Cassidy Lowe, Dillard
Jordan Harris, SUNO
Jayla Bibbs, Fisk
Trenisha Adams, Oakwood
Ari Winston, Philander Smith
Second Team
Ashukamayah Phillips, Virgin Islands
Farrah Pearson, Stillman College
Dasia Turner, Philander Smith
La'Daja Caldwell, Talladega College
Morgan Williams, Tougaloo College
Men's Basketball All-HBCUAC First Team
Preseason Player of the Year: Jamal Gibson, SUNO
Raymond Reece, Philander Smith
Tory Cargo, Dillard
Antonio Patterson, Tougaloo
Tyon Thompson, SUNO
Second Team
Jalil Langston, Virgin Islands
Demarius Pitts, Wiley
Armond Williams, Dillard
Amorey Womack, Philander Smith
Michael Ashley, Fisk
Lady Bulldogs Picked Second, Men Picked Ninth in Preseason Poll
In the preseason polls, the Fisk Lady Bulldogs were picked to finish second behind Philander Smith University. The Lady Bulldogs lost All American Maya Buckhanan, but return three starters in Jayla Bibbs, Laila Eliotti, and A'Niya Young. Head Coach Victoria Crawford's squad made it to the NAIA postseason tournament for the first time in school history.
New head coach Jeremiah Crutcher has brought new energy to the North Nashville campus. Returners, Michael Ashley and Mitchel Seay are the only starters from last year's team on the roster. The five other returners include Carrington Allen, Jeremiah Armstead, Justin McNelkan, Solomon Mustafa-Reid, and Chris Spears.
Women's Poll
1. Philander Smith 154 (7)
2. Fisk 140 (2)
3. Stillman 131 (1)
4. Dillard 129
5. Oakwood 94 (1)
6. Tougaloo 91
7. Talladega 89
8. Rust 79 (1)
9. Voorhees 72
10. Wiley 68
11. SUNO 54
12. Wilberforce 45 (1)
13. Virgin Islands 37
Men's Poll
1. Philander Smith 140 (4)
2. Tougaloo 129 (4)
3. Talladega 116
4. Dillard 113 (2)
5. Stillman 110 (1)
6. SUNO 97
7. Wiley 92 (1)
8. Rust 65
9. Fisk 62
10. Voorhees 51
11. Virgin Islands 40
12. Wilberforce 39
13. Oakwood 38
