Nine Lady Hawks earn GSAC recognition
DECATUR, Ga. – It's been a breakthrough season for the Huntingdon women's basketball team.
Coming off a nine-win season in 2011 and a five-win season in 2010, the Lady Hawks are 16-10 entering Friday's Great South Athletic Conference semifinals.
With the release of the GSAC All-Conference awards on Thursday, nine Lady Hawks were recognized for their athletic and academic accomplishments.
"I'm very proud of all of our players," Huntingdon head coach Buzz Phillips said. "We have some very deserving players that were recognized and we have a couple of more that we feel like were deserving, but that's the way the voting goes.
"Even if they weren't recognized today, our girls know it's been a team effort that's helped us have the season we've had."
Junior Morgan Crawford was Huntingdon's lone All-Conference selection. A junior, Crawford leads Huntingdon in scoring (10.7 points per game) and steals (78) and is second on the team is assists (73). Chelsea Graham and Patricia Pickens were both named to the All-Freshman team. Through 26 games, Graham is averaging 6.8 points per game and has hit 47 3-pointers. She is second in the conference in 3-pointers made this season. In 23 games, Pickens is averaging 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Her 103 rebounds rank third on the team.
"I can't say enough about Morgan and what she has brought to the program this season. I think she is one of the top guards in the conference and is very deserving of this recognition," Phillips said. "I'm proud of Chelsea and Pat and the difference they've made as freshmen. I don't think there is a better pure shooter in the conference than Chelsea, and Pat Pickens has been outstanding in so many ways for us. The heart and desire she has shown has been outstanding."
Senior Jessi Andrews was recognized as a GSAC Sportsmanship Award winner for a second straight year.
"This award really shows the kind of person she is," Phillips said. "Jessi is a team captain and a leader and she always gives the team her best."
Andrews and Crawford were also among the seven All-Academic selections from Huntingdon, joining Jasmine Holcey, Katie Martin, Alyssa McCurry, Sekal Ousley and Kali Sands.
"The number of players that earned academic All-Conference speaks very highly of our ladies," Phillips said. "It shows that they're working hard to help us prepare for games, but they're also working hard in class and taking care of their academics."
2011-2012 Women's Basketball Conference Awards
Player of the Year- Sada Wheeler (PC)
Freshman of the Year- Madison McDonald (LC)
Coach of the Year- Darrin Travillian (MC)
All-Conference
Sada Wheeler (PC)
Katie Covington (LC)
Janell Menard (MC)
Amber Satterfield (PC)
Heather Miller (LC)
Morgan Crawford (HC)
Kiera Payne (MC)
Genefine Sapateh (ASC)
Lindsay Haggerty (WC)
Lauren Burnett (MC)
Tayler Smith (MC)
All-Freshman
Madison McDonald (LC)
Patricia Pickens (HC)
Chelsea Graham (HC)
Christiauna Draper (Spelman)
Alex Bond (MC)
Morgan Woodward (CC)
All-Academic
Agnes Scott-Rachael Hornbostel, Kimberly Reeves, Arielle Register, Cristina Gutierrez, Lexi Pulice-Farrow, Courtney Brown
Covenant- Jessica Blankenship, Jessica Chittenden, Hannah Craft, Anna Kline, Meagan Kreisel,Erica Vaughn
Huntingdon- Morgan Crawford, Jessi Andrews, Jasmine Holcey, Katie Martin, Alyssa McCurry, Sekal Ousley, Kali Sands
LaGrange-Caroline Brashier, Hunter Connell-Sophomore, Heather Miller, Elizabeth Williams
Maryville-Cathryn Dake, Ashleigh Elliot, Lailah Farmer
Piedmont- Lauren Anderson, Lauren Hamel, Amber Satterfield, Shanice Wheeler
Spelman- Jessica Reagans, Tiffany Sims, Jasmine Taylor
Wesleyan- Evgenia Korun
Sportsmanship
Agnes Scott: Cristina Gutierrez
Covenant College: Morgan Woodward
Huntingdon College: Jessi Andrews
LaGrange College: Hunter Connell
Maryville College: Lauren Burnett
Piedmont College: Caroline Hicks
Salem College: Karoline Summerville
Spelman College: Sterling Mitchell
Wesleyan College: Evgenia Korun