Nine Golden Eagles honored at annual Awards Dinner
The 2012-13 women's basketball season was full of surprises. First year head coach Jim Davis returned the program to glory, winning a share of the OVC Regular season title and making the teams 22nd OVC Tournament Finals appearance.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- The 2012-13 women's basketball season was full of surprises. First year head coach Jim Davis returned the program to glory, winning a share of the OVC Regular season title and making the teams 22nd OVC Tournament Finals appearance.
The team hosted its annual Awards Dinner Sunday Night and nine different Golden Eagles were recognized with awards.
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Frank Porter Award - Kellie Cook |
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John P. Hendrix Leadership Award - Molly Heady |
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Best Offensive Player - Diamond Henderson |
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Best Defensive Player- Lashay Davis |
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Best Defensive Player - Kylie Cook |
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Leading Rebounder - T'Keyah Williams |
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Team MVP - Jala Harris |
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Golden Eagle Award - Katherine Barker |
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I Dare You - Mariah Dean |
Taking home top honors were team captains Kellie Cook and Molly Heady. Kellie Cook was honored with the prestigious Frank Porter Award while Heady was given the John P. Hendrix Leadership Award.
The Frank Porter Award is presented to the player for her contributions to the team, the basketball program, Tennessee Tech University and the community. Her team contributions consist of leadership, sportsmanship and fair play as well as academics, citizenship and pose on and off the floor.
"Kellie Cook has been a leader to not only the women's basketball team, but to the student body," said Davis. "She's left her mark on these hallowed halls, and this program."
Kellie Cook was also recognized as the team's best Academic Student-Athlete. Cook finished her career with a 3.9 GPA.
The John P. Hendrix Leadership Award is given to the team member who demonstrates what it means to be a leader on and off the court.
"I respect Molly so much. She is always in the classroom, preparing for her clinicals and she dedicates herself to everything she does. On top of that she comes to practice and gives the high intensity we demand of our players. It's not an easy task, but she somehow makes it look easy."
Other players recognized at the banquet were Diamond Henderson, Lashay Davis, Kylie Cook, T'Keyah Williams, Jala Harris, Katherine Barker, and Mariah Dean.
Henderson was named the Best Offensive Player of the Year. Assistant coach Bart Walker presented the award, but challenged the red-shirt sophomore to come back next year as the team's best defensive player.
Henderson was the leading scorer for the Golden Eagles averaging 15.8 points per game. She was second in the OVC with a .478 field goal percentage and the only Golden Eagle named to the all-conference team as first team selection. Henderson also received all-Tournament team honors as well as OVC Player of the Week accolades throughout the season.
Two seniors were named Best Defensive Player. Lashay Davis collected 53 steals in 31 games, leading Tech with 1.7 steals per game. Davis took on the challenge of guarding the best guards in the conference helping the Golden Eagles win a share of the Regular Season title. Kylie Cook was also recognized after taking on bigger and taller girls all season long.
Williams was recognized as the team's leading rebounder. Williams averaged 6.7 rebounds per game, and collected double-digit rebounds six out of the last ten games; including a career high 14 rebounds in the Tournament semi-final game against Belmont.
The team MVP award was given to Harris. Harris was the leader of the team this season, and finished with a 1.7 Assist/Turnover Ratio, second best ratio in the OVC. Harris was an all-Tournament team selection. Harris was second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.4 points per game, scoring in the double figures in seven of Tech's last 10 games. Harris scored 34 points in the OVC Tournament. The senior led the team with 4.4 assists per game.
Barker was the recipient of the Golden Eagle award. The award is for the player that always does what she is asked, with a winning attitude and makes her teammates better players. Barker was a key role player for the Purple and Gold, playing in every game and making 13 starts.
The "I Dare You" award was given to Dean. The award recognizes the potential in a student-athlete and dares them to fulfill that potential next season. It encourages her to get in the gym over the summer and prepare for the upcoming season. Dean saw her time increase throughout the season. She played a season high 21 minutes at Memphis, shooting 50 percent from the floor. Dean scored a 13 points against UT Martin at home.
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