North Georgia, the two-time defending Georgia-Alabama-Carolina Conference champions, is ranked No. 6 in the NAIA's preseason basketball poll followed by Auburn-Montgomery ranked No. 14.Coming off back-to-back GACC Championships, the 2003-2004 Lady Saints have been hard at work in pre-season preparation for a chance to “Three-peat”! “We’ve had an incredible run over the past two years”, states Coach Buffie Burson, “and with all of our players returning, naturally expectations are running high. However, we have no intention of resting on our laurels”. The Lady Saints have taken to heart a quote attributed to “Blackhawk Down” pilot, CWO Mike Durrant, “Look back, but don’t stare”. This advice has already helped to keep the team focused on the task at hand and by “not staring” frees them up to accomplish new territory.

For this very young team, the ability to win games while gathering experience has already proved invaluable. Coach Burson points out that the GACC Conference and NAIA National Tournament experience alone should give last year‘s freshmen an edge on their opponents. Not to mention the luxury of the players’ familiarity with offensive and defensive schemes.

“A hungry lion hunts best”.
A definite attribute of this year’s team is depth at every position. The Lady Saints have added two talented post players to their roster(Jeanine Dorminey, an All-Conference Player from ABAC and Annie Goza, 2003 State High School Discus Champion from Jefferson High). Last year’s All-Conference player, Angelyn Love and tournament-tested juniors, Brandi Owen and Katie Schleisman are poised and ready to play. All guards return, to include sophomores Raena Ellis, GACC Tournament MVP and Katie Williamson, GACC Freshman of the Year. Three other highly skilled guards enjoyed significant playing time including sophomores Kim Love and April Fulcher along with senior Kameisha Topps. Sophomore Erin McGhee, although seeing limited playing time as a freshman, adds even further depth to the perimeter. “We have purposely established an expectation of success within our program. If someone doesn’t bring her “A” Game to the court, there is a good chance she will find someone else on the floor. That’s only going to make us stronger. This allows us to continually cheer and encourage each other to get better,” Burson explains.

The Auburn University Montgomery Lady Senators will begin the season as the 14th-ranked team in the NAIA. The Lady Senators, who have been to 13 consecutive NAIA National Tournaments, return three starters off of last season's team including second-leading scorer Monica Diamond.

The Lady Senators return forward Amanda Tolbert, as well as point guards Tiffany Frederick and Jessica Weathers from last season.

The Lady Senators must replace GACC Player of the Year Jackie Tate and center Nikisha Hayes to improve upon their 25-9 record and first-round exit last season.