SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The 2012 Southern Conference women’s basketball postseason awards were announced on Tuesday (February 29), following a balloting of the league’s head coaches. Davidson head coach Michele Savage was named the league’s Coach of the Year, while Wildcat junior Sophia Aleksandravicius was named the 2012 Player of the Year.
Aleksandravicius was also tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year, while Furman forward Brittany Hodges was named Freshman of the Year.
Aleksandravicius finished the regular season leading the league in rebounds (9.1 rpg), blocked shots (3.1), defensive rebounds (6.8) and finished third in scoring (13.7 ppg). The Pound Ridge, NY native was also named the Preseason Player of the Year.
Savage, in her second year at the helm, was honored by the league’s coaches. She helped Davidson to a 21-8 (17-3 SoCon) season and the program’s first ever regular season title and a No.1 seed in the conference tournament. The Wildcats shared the regular season title with Appalachian State, who also finished 17-3 in league play.
Hodges was the league’s top-scoring freshman, averaging 10 points per game. The freshman forward started 26-of-29 games for Furman and was the Paladins leading rebounder.
Chattanooga placed three players on the All-Conference team with senior Whitney Hood, junior Kayla Christopher and sophomore Taylor Hall. Aleksandravicius was joined by teammate sophomore Laura Murray. Appalachian State placed two on the All-Conference team with juniors Anna Freeman and Courtney Freeman. All earning All-SoCon honors were Elon junior Ali Ford, Samford senior Paige Anderson and Western Carolina senior Kaila’Shea Menendez.
Hodges, who also earned a spot on the All-Freshmen team was joined by Appalachian State’s Maryah Sydnor, Elon’s Sam Coffer, Samford’s Taylor Reece and Western Carolina’s Ali Lane.
Lashana Booker of Furman, a senior forward 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.
Booker suffered through two season-ending injuries in back-to-back seasons. She was determined to return to playing form. In Furman’s first game of the season, Book poured in 29 points against Charleston Southern, earning her SoCon Player of the Week honors. She has been the only player for the Paladins to start in every game this season.
The 2012 Southern Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament begins Friday, March 2 at 11:30 a.m. at Kimmel Arena in Asheville, N.C. The championship game is scheduled for Monday, March 5 at 5:00 p.m.
2012 SoCon Women’s Basketball Awards
All-Conference Team
Anna Freeman, Appalachian State
Courtney Freeman, Appalachian State
Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson
Laura Murray, Davidson
Ali Ford, Elon
Paige Anderson, Samford
Whitney Hood, Chattanooga
Kayla Christopher, Chattanooga
Taylor Hall, Chattanooga
Kaila’Shea Menendez, Western Carolina
All-Freshmen Team
Maryah Sydnor, Appalachian State
Sam Coffer, Elon
Brittany Hodges, Furman
Taylor Reece, Samford
Ali Lane, Western Carolina
Player of the Year
Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson
Defensive Player of the Year
Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson
Freshman of the Year
Brittany Hodges, Furman
Ann Lashley Inspiration Award Winner
Lashana Booker, Furman
Coach of the Year
Michele Savage, Davidson