The Pima Community College women’s basketball team begins the 2016-17 season as the National Junior College Athletic Association’s top Division II program.
The NJCAA released its preseason Division II top 20 rankings on Tuesday.
Pima finished third at last year’s NJCAA Division II Tournament upsetting No. 1 Monroe Community College 74-73 in the third place game.
The Aztecs return six players from last year’s team including the dynamic backcourt of Sydni Stallworth (Palo Verde HS) and Denesia Smith (Cienega HS). Other returning players are guards Bailey Johnson (Tucson Magnet HS) and Erin Peterson (Catalina Foothills HS) as well as forwards Aubre Fortner (Liberty HS) and Katie Bell (Nogales HS).
The Aztecs open the 2016-17 season in the New Mexico Junior College Thunderbird Classic from Nov. 3-5 in Hobbs, NM. Their first tip-off will be against Western Texas College on Thursday, Nov. 3 at noon (MST).
See the complete NJCAA Division II top 20:
Pima Women’s Team Ranked No. 1 in preseason.
