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Athletics News Release

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's Ross, McLauglin, Ashcraft, Philamlee, Huttemann honored by TranSouth


Lavanda Ross

JACKSON, Tenn. - 2/27/2012 - The 2012 TranSouth Regular Season Champion Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ University women's basketball team was well represented on the released Monday. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ players took three of the top four player awards.

LaTesa McLaughlin was named the TranSouth Defensive Player of the Year, Shelby Ashcraft was named Newcomer of the Year, and Amy Philamlee was named Freshman of the Year. Senior All-American Lavanda Ross, along with McLaughlin, were named to the TranSouth first team selections, while Philamlee was named as a second team all-conference player. Philamlee and Astrid Huttemann were named to the TranSouth All-Freshman Team.

Ross, a 5-foot-9 senior guard from Jackson, was second third in the TranSouth in scoring with 17.9 points per game, behind only Vee Young (MMC) and Jana Roney (BU). Ross was No. 1 in the TranSouth in field goal percentage (.578), No. 1 in the TranSouth in steals per game (2.79), and No. 3 in the TranSouth in assists per game (3.72), behind only her teammate McLaughlin and Jessy Christopher (MMC). She was No. 4 in the NAIA in field goal percentage, No. 12 in total points (519), No. 14 in points per game, and No. 15 in total steals (81). This is the third career all-conference honor for Ross. She was also a former TranSouth Newcomer and Freshman of the Year.

McLaughlin, a 5-foot-5 sophomore guard from Millington, ranks No. 3 in the TranSouth in steals per game (2.11) and No. 2 in the TranSouth with 4.25 assists per game. She also ranked No. 1 in the NAIA with a 2.9 assists-to-turnover ratio and is No. 21 in total assists (119). This is her first TranSouth postseason honor.

Ashcraft,a 6-foot sophomore forward from Cabot, Ark., averaged 8.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game on the season. She started played in 28 of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's 30 regular season games. She scored double figures in 11 games this season, including her season high of 20 points twice.

Philamlee, a 5-foot-5 freshman guard from Jonesboro, Ark., was second on Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's team with 9.7 points per game. She played in all 30 games for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ, averaging three assists and two rebounds per game. Philamee shot 38 percent (43-114) from 3-point range.

Huttemann, a 5-foot-11 freshman guard from Paraquay, averaged 7.4 points per game on the season. She was tops on the team with 59 made 3-pointers at a 39 percent (59-150) clip. She played in 29 of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's 30 games on the year.

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ captured the regular season title for the sixth straight season and will be the No. 1 seed in this week's . Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ opens play Tuesday night versus Blue Mountain (Miss.). Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ will be the home team in each game they play during the tournament. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ has won 11 of the 15 TranSouth Tournament Title in league history.

#UNION#

Player of the Year - Natalie Shumpert, Freed-Hardeman
Defensive Player of the Year - LaTesa McLaughlin, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
Co-Newcomer of the Year - Shelby Ashcraft, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ; Ashley Tate, Freed-Hardeman; Jasmine Taylor, Bethel
Freshman of the Year - Amy Philamlee, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
Coach of the Year - Dale Neal, Freed-Hardeman

FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Natalie Shumpert, Freed-Hardeman
Lavanda Ross, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
Vee Young, Martin Methodist
Jana Roney, Bethel
Maria Bagwell, Freed-Hardeman
LaTesa McLaughlin, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
Lauren Ramsey, Lyon
Stephanie Malone, Mid-Continent
Phagen Altom, Lyon
Casie Cowan, Cumberland

SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Simone Ryan, Cumberland
Amy Philamlee, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
Courtney Atkinson, Cumberland
Jessy Christopher, Martin Methodist
Hannah Parsley, Freed-Hardeman

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Amy Philamlee, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
Hayley Newby, Freed-Hardeman
Astrid Huttemann, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ
Amber Alexander, Freed-Hardeman
Asia Grigsby, Mid-Continent


Steven Aldridge
Phone: (731) 661-5027

Fax: (731) 661-5182

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