March 3, 2010

Woods named First-Team All-Conference

Leading her team in scoring (15.6 points) and rebounding (7.7), Cowley College sophomore Gianna Woods was named a First-Team Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division all-conference selection on Wednesday.

Woods, a 6-foot sophomore from Compton, CA., has had some big games for the Lady Tigers, who are 20-10 on the season. Woods scored a season- high 32 points against Neosho County on Jan. 30 and poured in 25 points and 12 rebounds in Cowley’s 64-38 win over Pratt Community College in the first-round of the Region VI Tournament on Tuesday.

“She has been pretty dominant in a lot of ways,” Cowley head coach Todd Clark said. “I am happy for her to be recognized because she has had a great year.”

Woods not only leads the team in scoring and rebounding, she is also shooting a team-best 52 percent from the floor.

Fellow sophomore Kaneesha Lee was also recognized as an honorable mention all-conference selection. Lee averages 10.2 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Lady Tigers. She also leads the Jayhawk East in blocked shots with 81.

After playing minimal minutes as a freshman, Lee has really blossomed in her final season at the school.
“I am really happy for her,” Clark said. “She has come a long way as a player.”

Johnson County’s Ben Conrad was named the Jayhawk East Coach of the Year after leading his team to a second place conference finish and a record of 27-3.

Labette Community College’s Satoria Bell, who is averaging 18.7 points and 6.7 rebounds was named the Jayhawk East’s Most Valuable player. While, Johnson County’s Taylor Bird (11.3 points, 8.6 rebounds) was named the Jayhawk East Freshman of the Year.

On the West side, Garden City’s Alaura Sharp was named the Coach of the Year; Seward County’s Rachel Barnes (20.7 points, 8.1 rebounds) was named the Player of the Year; and Garden City’s Marisela Rodriguez (13.3 points, 9.1 rebounds) was named the Freshman of the Year.

Cowley will face Garden City (17-14) Friday at 5 p.m. in the second-round of the Region VI Tournament played at Wichita State University’s Charles Koch Arena.

Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division selections:

• First-Team
  
  • Satoria Bell, Labette; Sadie Webb, Independence; Kellindra Zackery, Labette; Bjonee Reaves, Neosho County; Gianna Woods, Cowley; Melissa Nelson, Johnson County.
    
• Second Team
  
  • Karli Abbey, Highland; Tasha Cannon, Coffeyville; Valencia Kelly, Fort Scott; Taylor Bird, Johnson County; Alyssa Rushton, Kansas City.
    
• Honorable Mention
  
  • Breanna Shaw, Allen County; Tori Halverson, Independence; Kaneesha Lee, Cowley; Sheay Longstaff, Coffeyville; Kristin Aldridge, Neosho County.