March 5, 2013

Henderson, Davis grab all-OVC women's basketball honors

Tennessee Tech sophomore Diamond Henderson and senior Lashay Davis have earned a duo of all-Ohio Valley Conference selections after helping the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team to a 12-4 conference record and a share of the 2013 OVC Regular Season Championship.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech sophomore Diamond Henderson and senior Lashay Davis have earned a duo of all-Ohio Valley Conference selections after helping the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team to a 12-4 conference record and a share of the 2013 OVC Regular Season Championship.

Henderson was named to her first all-OVC first-team, the only sophomore named to the squad, while Davis was named to the all-newcomer team.

The all-conference teams were voted on by the head coaches and sports information directors from the OVC.

As a recipient of OVC Player of the week this season, Henderson averaged a team high 16 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. Henderson became just the sixth guard in Tech history to record a 30-plus point game.

"Diamond has had a really good year for us," said head coach Jim Davis. "She's our go-to player with great offensive skills, shooting at a high percentage from three-point range and inside. We call her number quite often and she delivers. We're very proud of her and proud for her."

A two-time Newcomer of the Week, Davis made an instant impact for the Golden Eagles as she finished third on the team in scoring, averaging 8.7 points and two three-pointers per game.

"Lashay's been a great addition for us," Davis said. "She's on the Newcomer list, but this ought to be her senior season capping off a four-year pedigree at Tech. We convinced Lashay to come out for basketball at the beginning of the year and I'm so glad she did. She's been a big difference for our basketball team. One of the leading three-pointers in our league, but she's gotten really good at attacking the rim and she's been all season long as our on-ball defender. She's a stopper."

The Golden Eagles will be back in action Friday after their two-round bye, as they will face SIUE, Tennessee State or Belmont in the OVC Tournament Semi-Finals at 2 p.m. at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville.

All-OVC First Team
Jasmine Newsome, UT Martin
Ta'Kenya Nixon, Eastern Illinois
Heather Butler, UT Martin
Raven Berry, SIUE
Diamond Henderson, Tennessee Tech

All-OVC Second Team
Mariah King, Eastern Illinois
Alex Jones, Eastern Kentucky
Mariah Robinson, Murray State
Terrice Robinson, Morehead State
Kesi Hess, Tennessee State

All-Newcomer Team
Erika Sisk, Murray State
Jordan Coleman, Belmont
Kara Wright, Southeast Missouri
CoCo Moore, SIUE
Tiasha Gray, Austin Peay
Lashay Davis, Tennessee Tech

Player of the Year: Jasmine Newsome, UT Martin
Freshman of the Year: Erika Sisk, Murray State
Defensive Player of the Year: Jasmine Newsome, UT Martin
Coach of the Year: Lee Buchanan, Eastern Illinois