The Morehead State men's basketball team has been picked second in the Ohio Valley Conference's East Division, while seniors Almesha Jones and Angelo Warner have earned Preseason All-OVC honors in a vote of the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
The Morehead State men are coming off a 20-win campaign for the fourth time in the past six years. The 2013-14 Eagles also earned a spot in the College Basketball Invitational, which marked the program's fourth postseason berth in six seasons and ninth in school history.
Jones, a 5-foot-6 guard, is Morehead State's top returning scorer at 14.7 per game. She led the Eagles in assists (6.0) and steals (2.4) last season, while ranking second in rebounds (4.4). The Cincinnati native registered eight performances of 20+ points in 2013-14.
Jones has collected 908 points, 343 assists, 234 rebounds and 174 steals in 87 career games. She is already 11th on the school's all-time assists chart in addition to being the fifth individual to post 300 assists and 150 steals in an Eagle uniform.
"Congratulations to Almesha on this honor," said Greg Todd, who begins his first season as head women's coach. "I am looking forward to coaching Almesha this season. It's easy to tell, through film sessions and team workouts, how special she can be."
Warner, a 6-foot-2 guard, is already 23rd on Morehead State's all-time scoring list with 1,133 points in 98 career games. He ranked sixth in the OVC last season with a team-best 17.5 points per tilt and reached double figures in scoring on 31 occasions.
Warner, an Orlando native, averaged 4.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals in 34.8 minutes per contest a season ago. He knocked down 45 percent from the field, 33 percent from three-point distance and 82 percent from the free-throw line.
"Angelo is very deserving of this accolade," said Sean Woods, who begins his third year as head men's coach. "I am looking forward to one more season with Angelo. He is a special player who gives us terrific presence on both ends of the floor."
The Morehead State men will host an exhibition on Nov. 5 before opening regular-season action on Nov. 14 at Mountain West Conference opponent UNLV. The Eagle women also begin regular-season play on Nov. 14 when they visit Norfolk State.
