NORFOLK, Va. – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) uncovered its women's basketball preseason honors and predicted order of finish Thursday morning during MEAC Media Day. Three Bison were named to All-Conference teams while Howard was tabbed to be runner-up in this season.
Voted on by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors, HU tallied 114 points, just one behind predicted champion Norfolk State.
Coppin State, North Carolina Central, Delaware State, and South Carolina State rounded out the predicted order of finish.
Last season, Howard registered its fifth consecutive winning season (16-14, 10-4 MEAC) and finished runner-up in the MEAC Tournament.
Senior guard Destiny Howell was named Preseason Player of the Year. Howell, the reigning MEAC Player of the Year and the 2022 MEAC Basketball Tournament Outstanding Performer, appeared in 28 games for the Bison during the 2022-23 season, collecting 471 points for a 16.82 per-game average to lead the MEAC in both statistical categories. The senior guard tallied 107 rebounds, 54 assists, 29 steals, and 16 blocks while shooting 40.23% from the field. Howell collected 21 double-digit games with 11 games over 20 or more points and three with 30-plus, including a career-high 35 at VCU on Dec. 28, 2022.
Rounding out the Preseason All-MEAC First Team are Norfolk State's Kierra Wheeler, Coppin State's Mossi Staples, Maryland Eastern Shore's Zamara Haynes, and N.C. Central's Kimeira Burks.
Joining Howell in preseason honors is point guard and fellow senior Kaniyah Harris as well as 5th-year returner Iyanna Harris – both being named All-MEAC Second Team.
Last regular season, Harris started 16 of 24 games. The Maryland native went .644% from FT line while totaling 118 rebounds (4.9 rpg), aiding in 90 assists and grabbing 34 steals. Harris finished the season leading the team in assists, steals, and assist/turnover ratio.
Iyanna Warren returns to the court after a shortened 22-23 season. The fifth-year senior started 9 of 11 games played putting 102 points along the way. Warren went .800% from FT line while averaging 2.5 rebounds per game, aiding in 26 assists, and grabbing 19 steals.
It's a big year for the Bison as they celebrate their 50th anniversary this season. On Nov. 6, Howard opens their Golden Season against crosstown rival George Washington (GW). Tipoff is slated for 5 P.M. inside Burr Gymnasium.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com and/or the MEAC website at www.MEACSports.com
