Oct. 12, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball program has reeled in more preseason accolades as College Sports Madness announced their 2012-13 Madness Southeastern Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Teams. Head coach Matthew Mitchell was selected as the preseason SEC Coach of the Year, while senior guard A’dia Mathies was tabbed as the Player of the Year for the conference.
Mathies was joined on the preseason all-conference teams by sophomore Bria Gross, who was selected to the second team and junior Samarie Walker, who was named to the third team.
Mitchell enters his sixth season at the helm of UK Hoops after leading the Wildcats to a 28-7 mark last season and the program’s second regular season SEC title and first in 30 years. UK appeared in its second NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in the last three seasons.
A’dia Mathies, the 2012 SEC Player of the Year, adds to her preseason accolades after being recognized as one of 25 players named to the preseason “Wade Watch” list. The Louisville, Ky., native led UK last season in scoring (15 ppg), assists (2.7 apg), steals (2.6 spg) and 3-point field goal percentage (.378). The 5-foot-9 guard ranked second on the team in rebounds (5.1 rpg), 3-point field goals made (51) and was third in blocks (21). Mathies has climbed to No. 12 on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,435 points and is sixth on the career steals list with 251.
Goss was named to the second team after being named the 2012 SEC Freshman of the Year. The Indianapolis, Ind., native was the only member to start all 35 games for the Cats last season and was one of two players to average double-figures (11.0 ppg.). The 5-foot-10 guard was third on the team in rebounds (4.0), assists (1.5 apg) and free throw percentage (.731).
Walker led the Wildcats in rebounds last season, corralling 7.2 boards per contest. The NCAA Tournament Kingston All-Region team member, finished second on the squad in field goal percentage (.484) and blocks (22), and was third with 9.7 points per game.
The Wildcats open up the 2012-13 season with an exhibition against Bellarmine on Monday, Nov. 5 at 6:00 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum. Admission is free.
Season tickets are on sale for the entire home schedule for $65. Lower-level chair back seating ($80) is sold out.
Group tickets for the “Pack the House” game vs. DePaul on Dec. 7 in Rupp Arena are also available. Purchase 20 or more for just $3 per ticket or purchase 50 or more for just $1 per ticket. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge in the general admission seating area.
All groups are welcome and will be given seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Nathan.Schwake@uky.edu to purchase group tickets for the DePaul game.
Fans interested in season tickets can go to UKathletics.com or call the UK ticket office at 1-800-928-CATS.
Follow UK Hoops on Twitter and Instagram at @UKHoopCats and on Facebook by liking University of Kentucky Women’s Basketball.
