Women's Basketball: Award Winners Announced
April 29, 2007 10:45 AM | General
April 29, 2007
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University women’s basketball coach Mike Carey today announced the 2006-07 award winners.
Junior center Olayinka Sanni garnered the team’s leading scorer and leading rebounder awards. The Chicago Heights, Ill., native and first team all-BIG EAST performer averaged a team-best 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest this past year. Sanni led the Mountaineers in scoring in eight contests with nine 20-point efforts and six double-doubles. She led the team in rebounding 15 games.
Sophomore point guard Ashley Powell, a Detroit, Mich., native, was named the team’s most improved player and also garnered the playmaker award. Powell averaged 3.72 assists-per contest, including a career-best 10 in WVU’s win at No. 20 Louisville. Over the year she improved her scoring, field goal percentage, rebounding and free throw percentage from last season.
Junior forward Chakhia Cole received the heart and hustle award. The Marlboro, N.J., native averaged 11.9 points, 6.3 rebound and 3.4 assists per game in 2006-07. Cole has now posted consecutive seasons with 300 points, 200 rebounds and 100 assists, marking the first time in school history that feat has been accomplished. She has also grabbed 200 or more rebounds in each of her three seasons.
Junior guard LaQuita Owens was named the team’s best defender. The Charlotte, N.C., native led the team with 62 steals and also grabbed a career-best 184 rebounds on the year. Owens also averaged 13.5 points, including 91 3-pointers, fifth-best in the nation and a new WVU junior record.
Junior guard Lateefah Joye garnered the team’s sixth woman award after averaging 4.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 28 games as WVU’s first player off the bench. She also shot over 50.0% from the field on the year and tallied a career-best 13 points against Louisville in the BIG EAST tournament.
Sophomore guard Sparkle Davis was named the team’s best free throw shooter after making a team-best 80.5% of her shots (33-41). She also averaged 8.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game this season.
