BRISTOL, Tenn.- The 2026-27 Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Preseason Poll is out, and King University Women's Basketball is poised for another competitive campaign, coming in eighth with 135 points as voted by the league's head coaches.
Preseason Poll Overview:
Francis Marion, last year's east division champion, earned the top spot with 210 points and six first-place votes. Lees-McRae, the defending tournament champion, was close behind in second with 206 points and seven first-place votes. Belmont Abbey (third, 198 points) and Barton (fourth, 179 points) round out a tightly packed top four, while Chowan completes the top five.
King sits just behind UNC Pembroke and Young Harris, and ahead of Emmanuel, Shorter, Ferrum, North Greenville, Mount Olive, Converse, Southern Wesleyan, and Erskine. With a deep and balanced league, the Tornado will look to outperform their preseason ranking and build on last year's progress.
Players to Watch:
King returns several key contributors, including:
- Aliyah Hawkins (So., G – Crossville, Tennessee): 2025-26 Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-Conference
- Emma Larios (Sr., G – Piney Flats, Tennessee)
- Alayna Smith (Sr., G – Youngstown, Ohio)
This trio will be central to King's attack as the Tornado chase a strong regular season and postseason run.
Championship Outlook:
The 2027 Conference Carolinas Men's and Women's Basketball Championships begin February 28, with seeds 4-12 playing opening round games before quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium, March 5-7. Every regular season contest will impact postseason seeding.
Looking Ahead:
With experienced seniors and rising young talent, King Women's Basketball is ready to battle for every win in 2026-27. The Tornado faithful can look forward to a season of hard work, resilience, and the pursuit of a postseason run in a tightly contested Conference Carolinas.
