MORROW, Ga. – No. 20 Clayton State has been picked to finish second in the 2018-19 Peach Belt Conference Preseason Poll following a tremendous campaign a year ago. The poll is voted on by the league's 12 head coaches.
 
The Lakers notched 109 points and three first place votes and were right behind UNC Pembroke's 118 points and the other nine first place votes. Augusta (100), USC Aiken (89) and Georgia Southwestern (73) rounded out the top five.
 
Coming off of a 24-7 performance last season, one that included a 19-3 PBC mark, second consecutive regular season championship and a successful return to both the national rankings and NCAA Division II Tournament, Clayton State has already been receiving national recognition.
 
Last month they were spotted as the No. 20 team in the country in Division II Bulletin's Preseason Poll and senior forward Jaylen Taylor (Hephzibah, Ga.) was named a Preseason All-American Honorable Mention by that organization.
 
Additionally, Taylor was selected as one of just five players to be named to the All-PBC Preseason Team earlier this week.
 
"This is a fine spot for our program to be in," said head coach Jimmy Link. "To pick up three first place votes and return four starters in a league like this, we're in a good position."
 
Clayton State opens up the 2018-19 campaign this evening with an exhibition at Division I Kennesaw State. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. in Kennesaw, Georgia.
 
2018-19 Peach Belt Conference Preseason Poll
1. UNC Pembroke 118 (9)
2. Clayton State 109 (3)
3. Augusta 100
4. USC Aiken 89
5. Georgia Southwestern 73
6. Columbus State 59
7. Francis Marion 57
T8. Georgia College 49
T8. North Georgia 49
10. Flagler 45
11. Lander 28
12. Young Harris 16