SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Appalachian State senior guard Sam Ramirez was tabbed by the Southern Conference women's basketball coaches as the league's Player of the Year while teammate Anna Freeman was honored as the Defensive Player of the Year. The group also selected a 10-member All-Conference team, a five-player All-Freshman Team and five superlative awards.
Ramirez finished the season first in the conference in assist-to-turnovers with a 2.1 average, while placing second in assists (4.1 apg) and steals (2.6 spg) and fourth in scoring (16.3 ppg). Ramirez helped lead the Mountaineers to a 23-5 overall record and their first regular season title since the 1995-96 season. She ranks among the elite in Appalachian State record book, as she is the all-time leader in three-pointers made, third in field goals and assists, fourth all-time in scoring with 1,494 points and fourth in career steals.
Freeman, a sophomore forward for the Mountaineers, was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year. The Thomasville, N.C., native., tallied 89 steals on the season and helped Appalachian State lead the conference in several defensive categories, including field goal defense (37.3), rebounding margin (+5.7), steals (13.5), turnover margin (+4.1) and defensive rebounds (27.3).
Joining Ramirez and Freeman on the all-conference team are Appalachian State's Ashlen Dewart, Chattanooga's Kayla Christopher and Whitney Hood, Davidson's Sophia Aleksandravicius, Elon's Ali Ford, UNCG's Monique Floyd and Samford's Savannah Hill and Emily London.
Picking up Freshman of the Year honors was Davidson's Laura Murray, who averaged 11.9 points and shot an impressive 82.8 percent from the free-throw line, which is third best in the SoCon. The guard from Harrisburg, Pa., led all freshmen in scoring, made three-pointers and free-throw percentage.
Along with Murray, the All-Freshman team included College of Charleston's Janae Smith, Georgia Southern's MiMi DuBose, UNCG's Janae' Stevenson and Western Carolina's Rena Wakama.
Appalachian State head coach Darcie Vincent was honored by her peers as Coach of the Year. In her third year at the helm, the Mountaineers won 23 games overall and 17 league contests. It was the highest league win total for the Mountaineers. Appalachian State's 11-1 record at home was the best home winning percentage in school history. Before the lone loss at home, the Mountaineers compiled an 18-game home winning streak that spanned from Jan. 12, 2010 to Feb. 19, 2011.
Bailey Dewart of Chattanooga, a guard from Spartanburg, S.C., was named the recipient of the Ann Lashley Inspiration Award. This award honors a student-athlete or coach who has shown outstanding courage or service. It is presented in memory of former Elon women's basketball associate head coach Ann Lashley, who passed away on November 10, 2005 after a six-month battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Bailey missed her junior season due to a knee injury from the previous season. After months of grueling rehabilitation, Bailey returned to the court. Now back on the court, Bailey is fourth on the Lady Mocs team in scoring and third in rebounding.
2010-11 Southern Conference Coaches All-Conference Team
Ashlen Dewart, Appalachian State
Anna Freeman, Appalachian State
Sam Ramirez, Appalachian State
Kayla Christopher, Chattanooga
Whitney Hood, Chattanooga
Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson
Ali Ford, Elon
Monique Floyd, UNCG
Savannah Hill, Samford
Emily London, Samford
All-Freshman Team
Janae Smith, College of Charleston
Laura Murray, Davidson
MiMi DuBose, Georgia Southern
Janae' Stevenson, UNCG
Rena Wakama, Western Carolina
Player of the Year
Sam Ramirez, Appalachian State
Defensive Player of the Year
Anna Freeman, Appalachian State
Freshman of the Year
Laura Murray, Davidson
Coach of the Year
Darcie Vincent, Appalachian State
Ann Lashley Inspiration Award
Bailey Dewart, Chattanooga