Women's Basketball

2023-24 USA South Women's Basketball Awards Announced

The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its 2023-24 All-Conference awards for women's basketball. Individually, William Peace's Tanaesha Ellison was named Player of the Year and Mary Baldwin's Aryauna Brent collected Rookie of the Year honors. Continuing with the individual honors, N.C. Wesleyan's Kayrisma Harrison was named Defensive Player of the Year while Methodist's Cheryl McNair earned Coach of the Year. Additionally, the USA South recognized an All-Sportsmanship Team, consisting of one member from each competing school who their coach felt displayed the best sportsmanship this season.

All awards are voted on by the women's basketball coach at each institution.

Ellison, a junior forward from Asheboro, North Carolina, becomes the first William Peace women's basketball student-athlete to be named USA South Player of the Year. Ellison led the Conference in scoring (24.2 points/game), rebounding (11.5 boards/game), and steals (3.6 takeaways/game) during the regular season, while also adding 2.9 assists per contest. Against USA South foes, Ellison increased her output, averaging 25.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 3.6 steals per game. For her efforts this season, Ellison was named a First Team All-Conference performer for the first time after earning second team honors a year ago. Finally, Ellison was named National Player of the Week once and USA South Player of the Week four times.

Brent, a freshman guard from Spotsylvania, Virginia, becomes the second Mary Baldwin women's basketball student-athlete to be named USA South Rookie of the Year (Leah Calhoun, 2018-19). Brent led all rookies in scoring during the regular season, averaging 14.1 points per game which ranked fourth in the entire League. Against Conference foes, Brent's scoring average grew to 16.0 points per contest, again fourth in the USA South. For her efforts this winter, Brent was named Honorable Mention All-Conference and USA South Rookie of the Week three times.

Harrison, a senior forward from Weldon, North Carolina, becomes the first N.C. Wesleyan women's basketball student-athlete to be named USA South Defensive Player of the Year. During regular season play, Harrison averaged 9.62 rebounds per game, made 22 steals, and blocked 12 shots to go along with averaging 11.4 points per contest. In Conference play, Harrison was one of just two players to average double-figure rebounds with 10.3 per game. For her efforts, Harrison was named All-Conference for the fourth consecutive season and first team for the second straight campaign.

McNair, in her seventh year as Methodist's head coach, earns her first USA South Coach of the Year honor. After being predicted to finish fourth in the standings in the preseason coaches poll, the Monarchs claimed a share of the regular season title. Methodist set a program record for League wins in a season with a 17-1 record to earn the Monarchs' fourth regular season crown and first since the 2000-01 campaign. Additionally, McNair's squad produced a 20-5 mark during regular season play, eclipsing the 20-win mark for just the third time in program history.

 

Player of the Year Rookie of the Year Defensive Player of the Year Coach of the Year
7215
Tanaesha Ellison
William Peace
7216
Aryauna Brent
Mary Baldwin
7217
Kayrisma Harrison
N.C. Wesleyan
7160
Cheryl McNair
Methodist

The 2023-24 USA South Women's Basketball All-Conference Team:
 
First Team Second Team Honorable Mention
Tanaesha Ellison, William Peace
Kayrisma Harrison, N.C. Wesleyan
Josie Hester, Brevard
Abigail Snyder, Southern Virginia
Aniyah Tate, Methodist
Jessica Drake, Methodist
Aysia Foster, Southern Virginia
Areina Harris, N.C. Wesleyan
Olivia Miller, Brevard
Dionne Sampson, Salem
Aryauna Brent, Mary Baldwin
Ruth Kempler, Southern Virginia
Nadia Simmons, N.C. Wesleyan
 
All-Sportsmanship
Cassie Plemmons, Brevard
Samiah Mitchell, Greensboro
Codie Heilig, Mary Baldwin
Emme Baber, Meredith
Rebecca McGaughnea, Methodist
Johnay Goddard, N.C. Wesleyan
Lola Cabaness-Ali, Pfeiffer
Cree Bass, Salem
Emma Camden, Southern Virginia
Keslee Hylton, William Peace