AIKEN, S.C. – Two University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball players were chosen to the 2010-11 Peach Belt Conference All-Conference team at a banquet at the Convocation Center.
USC Aiken's Hannah DeGraffinreed was named to the PBC All-Conference Second Team, while Kayla Harris was tabbed to the Third Team and as the league's Freshman of the Year.
A junior forward, DeGraffinreed (Raleigh, N.C./Merrimack) is leading the nationally 12th-ranked Pacers in the 2010-11 season with 5.9 rebounds. She is also averaging 11.6 points per outing.
She is in the top 20 in the PBC in both categories.
DeGraffinreed is presently fourth in the PBC in field goal percentage at 60.3 percent (119 for 218). She is also ninth in the PBC in free throw percentage at 75.6 percent (99 for 131).
DeGraffinreed closed USC Aiken's 2010-11 regular season having scored in double figures in 19 of the Pacers' 28 games. In USC Aiken's Peach Belt Conference Tournament quarterfinal win over Francis Marion, DeGraffinreed led the Pacers with 17 points. DeGraffinreed broke the single game PBC Touranment record in the game by going a perfect 7 for 7 from the field.
DeGraffinreed scored a season-high 22 points in USC Aiken's overtime win over Francis Marion on Jan. 12. She had two double-doubles in 2010-11, including finishing with 17 points and 14 rebounds in 14th-ranked USC Aiken's win over then No. 2 Lander at the Convocation Center on Feb. 23.
A freshman forward, Harris is currently leading the Pacers in points per game at 12.0 points per contest. She is 15th in the PBC in the category.
In conference games this season, Harris averaged a league ninth-best 13.6 points per game.
Harris is presently shooting 43.1 percent (121 for 281) from the field for the 12th-ranked Pacers. She is averaging 4.3 rebounds per game to go along with one steal per contest.
Harris had her best career game in USC Aiken's nationally televised game with Peach Belt Conference champion and current national No. 1 Clayton State at the Convocation Center on Saturday, Jan. 15.
Harris matched her career high with 23 points in the contest. She also scored 23 in USC Aiken's win over Georgia Southwestern on Jan. 3.
In total, Harris presently has three games with over 20 points as she also scored 21 in an overtime win over Francis Marion on Jan. 12.
Harris claimed her first career double-double in USC Aiken's win over UNC Pembroke on Jan. 5 with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Harris is the first Pacer PBC Freshman of the Year since USC Aiken Athletic Department Hall of Famer Jami Cornwell claimed the award in 2000.
DeGraffinreed, Harris and the 12th-ranked Pacers will take the hardwood against No. 1 Clayton State at 3 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) in a Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinal at the Convocation Center.
The 2010-11 All-Conference team was selected by the league's head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.
Peach Belt Conference
Women's Basketball All-Conference Team
First Team
Chimere Jordan, Georgia College
Shannon McKever, Lander
Shannon Singleton-Bates, Francis Marion
Teshymia Tillman, Clayton State
Tenisha Woodard, Clayton State
Second Team
Hannah DeGraffinreed, USC Aiken
Dominique Gilbert, Columbus State
Dominique Huffin, Georgia College
JaToya Kemp, UNC Pembroke
Lindsey Moss, North Georgia
Third Team
Robin Colbert, Francis Marion
Janyce Ealey, North Georgia
Kayla Harris, USC Aiken
Jasmine Judge, Lander
Courtney Mealing, Francis Marion
Freshman of the Year: Kayla Harris, USC Aiken
Defensive Player of the Year: Tanisha Woodard, Clayton State
Player of the Year: Shannon McKever, Lander
Coach of the Year: Dennis Cox, Clayton State
