LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Saint Louis Intercollegiate Conference basketball coaches have chosen Spalding as the pre-season favorite to win the league championship, and Coach Charlie Just and his team are going to do all they can to live up to those lofty expectations.  The Eagles return all five starters and their top two reserves from a 17-9 team a year ago.  That team, despite playing with only eight players for most of the season, finished third in the SLIAC before losing in the first-round of the conference tournament.

Leading the way for Spalding will be five returning players who averaged in double-figures a year ago.  Sophomore guard Alex Martin (12.9 ppg) was a third-team All-SLIAC selection and totaled 108 assists with only 68 turnovers as a freshman.  Senior Maya Hardin averaged 11.3 points per game and led the team in rebounding with an 8.3 average, while garnering second-team All-SLIAC honors.  Senior Brandy Hunter (10.5 ppg) was the team's top three point threat with 39 on the year, and junior forward Mackenzie Myers contributed 10.2 points and 6.2 rebounds despite playing with injury for much of the season.  Senior guard Dee Dee Sliter, a three-year starter, averaged 12.0 points and 4 assists in five games before a knee injury forced her to miss the remainder of the season.  She is expected to be back and healthy in 2016-17.

Seniors Julie Skaggs and Maddie Martin split time in the post position in 2015-16.  Skaggs averaged 7.5 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 52% from the field.  Martin chipped in with 7.4 points and 5.0 rebounds, connecting on 53% or her field goal attempts.  Senior Kim Mingus was a valuable contributor last season, averaging 4.2 points per game and hitting a number of big shots for the Golden Eagles.

Senior forward Kelsey Kaiser returns this season after missing most of 2015-16 with injury, and junior post Lelanda Matthews becomes eligible after sitting out last season due to transfer.  Kaiser will add depth to the power forward position, and the 6-3 Matthews will give Spalding another threat around the basket with her size and athleticism.

Six newcomers will bolster the Eagle attack and give the team the depth that they sorely lacked last year.  Sophomore transfer Jenna Thornhill (St. Catharine) will compete for playing time in the post position.  Despite being only 5-10, her strength, aggressiveness and footwork allow her to play well against taller players inside.  Freshman Micaiah Bowden (Butler) has outstanding potential in the power forward position with her ability to play both inside and out.  Freshmen Allison Just (Butler), Megan Goeing (North Bullitt) and Erin Dolan (North Bullitt) all have the ability to contribute time at the wing positions, and Tselem Gahagan (Columbus Northside, GA) is an athletic point guard who will be a welcome addition in the backcourt.

Spalding coach Charlie Just thinks this team can make another run at the SLIAC title for the third time in four years.  "I couldn't be prouder of what our ladies were able to do last season under difficult circumstances," he remarked.  "That experience should give our team the toughness and confidence they need to be successful this year.  We've added the talent and depth to play more up-tempo offensively and more aggressively at the defensive end of the floor, and I'm looking forward to this season and seeing what they can accomplish."