NMJC's de Paulo named WJCAC MVP
Criner, da Silva, Robinson also earn All-WJCAC honors
HOBBS, N.M. — The fourth-ranked New Mexico Junior College women's basketball team raked in several accolades when the Western Junior College Athletic Conference released its awards Tuesday, including having the WJCAC MVP in Angelica de Paulo, WJCAC Freshman of the Year in Alana da Silva and Coach of the Year in Drew Sanders.
de Paulo earned the MVP award thanks to leading the conference in scoring (16.0) while being third in blocks (1.1), 12th in rebounding (6.4) and 17th in steals (1.4). She is 18th on the NMJC all-time scoring list with 639 points and ninth on the single-season list with 447 points.
Joining de Paulo on the all-conference team and earning WJCAC Freshman of the Year was da Silva as she is averaging 7.7 points, 4.1 assists (third in the WJCAC) and 2.6 steals (fifth in the WJCAC) per game.
NMJC sophomore Kelsey Criner earned All-WJCAC status as she was second on the team at 12.2 points and 3.6 assists per contest while leading NMJC at 3.0 steals per game (second in the WJCAC).
Fellow sophomore Antoina Robinson also was named to the All-WJCAC team after averaging 9.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and a WJCAC-best 2.6 blocks per game.
It's the second year in a row and third time in four years Sanders has won WJCAC Coach of the Year. He is now 162-81 at NMJC in eight seasons, including 102-19 in the last four seasons while leading the Lady T-Birds to four consecutive WJCAC championships.
The Lady Thunderbirds (25-3) begin play at the Region V Tournament noon (CST) Wednesday against Weatherford College at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. A link to the full bracket is here.
2015 WJCAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE AND INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
ALL-CONFERENCE (LISTED IN ORDER OF VOTES RECEIVED)
Tajanay Veiga --------------------- Midland
Talayiah Rich ---------------------- Odessa
Mary Savoy ------------------------ Midland
Anushka Maldonado ------------ Odessa
Alana da Silva --------------------- New Mexico JC
Brechelle Beachum -------------- Western Texas
Courtney Randle ----------------- South Plains
Kelsey Criner ---------------------- New Mexico JC
Mesha Wade ---------------------- Frank Phillips
Ja'lee Carver ----------------------- Clarendon
Antoina Robinson ---------------- New Mexico JC
Honorable Mention
Jaylee Mays ------------------------ Clarendon
Joslyn Smith ----------------------- Frank Phillips
Walnatia Wright ----------------- Midland
Jocelyn Jeffrey -------------------- Western Texas
Sierra Dixon ----------------------- Midland
Caitlyn Lambert ------------------ Frank Phillips
Tamara York ---------------------- Howard
Elise Spann ------------------------ Odessa
Jasmine Green--------------------- Western Texas
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Alana da Silva ------------------- New Mexico JC
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Octavian Reedy ---------------- Odessa
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Courtney Randle --------------- South Plains
COACH OF THE YEAR
Drew Sanders ------------------ New Mexico JC