WJCAC all-conference team dominated by Tbirds; Da Silva all-region

Lubbock, TEXAS

On Saturday, the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) announced their all-conference teams and the New Mexico Junior College women's basketball team collected several honors after completing the daunting conference schedule with a perfect 14-0 record.

The Thunderbirds captured three first team selections as sophomore point guard, Alana da Silva who averaged eight points and just over three assists per game.  Sophomore post, Nycolle Smith (9.5 ppg and 5.6 rpg), and freshman post Daiane Machado (9.8 ppq and 5.2 rpg) were rewarded for their efforts.  da Silva was the second leading vote getter behind conference MVP Walnatia Wright from Midland.

Second team honors went to freshman guard Shaniya Mitchell who led the Thunderbirds in scoring just over 10 points per contest and rebounding with six boards per game.

Individual awards were handed out as well and the Thunderbirds claimed all but one.  Freshman of the Year went to Mitchell while fellow freshman Machado earned Newcomer of the Year. Head Coach Drew Sanders was named the Head Coach of the Year.  This is Coach Sanders 5^th consecutive Coach of the Year award.

The Thunderbirds, winners of their third consecutive Region V title will await seeding for the NJCAA National Championship which will begin on Monday, March 14 in Lubbock, Texas at Lubbock Christian University. 

ALL CONFERENCE TEAM AND AWARDS

1.         Walnatia Wright                     Midland College         MVP

2.         Alana Da Silva                    New Mexico JC

3.         Shelby Richards                    Odessa College

4.         Sierra Dixon                         Midland College

4.         Nycolle Smith                     New Mexico JC

6.         Daiane Machado                 New Mexico JC

7.         Shaniya Mitchell                 New Mexico JC

8.         Lisa Kaempf                         Midland College

9.         Brittany Thompson               Western Texas College

10.       Demi Read                           Frank Phillips College

11.       Lorena Hubbard                   Odessa College

12.       Dabrasia Baty                      South Plains College

Honorable Mention

Ja'lee Carver                                    Clarendon College

Tamara York                                     Howard College

Ashlyn Hoover                                  Howard College

Aubrie Elliott                                     Howard College

Marie Tsoungui                                 Howard College

Kayla Bretherton                              Midland College

Lauren Newman                               Odessa College

Anna Djedjemel                                Odessa College

Ramiah Henry                                   South Plains College

Yanina Inkina                                     South Plains College

Jasmine Green                                  Western Texas College

Freshman of the Year                    Shaniya Mitchell                 New Mexico JC

                                                       Jasmine Richardson               Western Texas College