Dragons No. 2 in Region XIV coaches’ poll

Published or Revised October 20, 2008

The PJC Dragons men's basketball team, with memories of last year's trip to the NCJAA National Tournament still fresh, placed second in a recent Region XIV Preseason Coaches Poll. The Dragons, who finished in eighth place at the NJCAA National Tournament in March, fell one vote short of No. 1 spot with five first-place votes, while San Jacinto took the top spot with six first-place votes. "I think the preseason polls have more to do with the past success of our program and the respect that we have garnered among the coaches in the league.," said Dragons Head Coach Ross Hodge. "It is nice to be thought of as one of the better teams in the toughest junior college region in the country. Obviously, we hope to be at the top of the standings at the end of the year and understand that this can put a bulls-eye on your back." The PJC Lady Dragons placed sixth in the poll. "I think that ranking is a solid place for us and right where we want to be starting off the year," said Lady Dragons Head Coach Kris Wood. "I think it says a lot about our girls we brought in, because we finished the year last year ranked ninth. Hopefully, it gives our girls some motivation to prove that we are better than a sixth-place ranking. But it is a long season, so we will see." Trinity Valley took the No. 1 spot with nine first-place votes. [b]Region XIV Men's Coaches Poll[/b] [b]1.[/b] San Jacinto (6) [b]2.[/b] Paris Junior College (5) [b]3.[/b] Navarro [b]4.[/b] Tyler [b]5.[/b] TVCC (2) [b]6.[/b] Angelina [b]7.[/b] Lon Morris [b]8.[/b] Panola [b]9.[/b] Blinn [b]10.[/b] Kilgore [b]11.[/b] Lee [b]12.[/b] Jacksonville [b]13.[/b] Bossier Parish [b]14.[/b] Lamar State [b]Region XIV Women's Coaches Poll[/b] [b]1.[/b] TVCC (9) [b]2.[/b] Tyler [b]3.[/b] Blinn (1) [b]4.[/b] Angelina [b]5.[/b] Panola [b]6.[/b] Paris Junior College [b]7.[/b] Lon Morris [b]8.[/b] Kilgore [b]9.[/b] Jacksonville [b]10.[/b] San Jacinto