MSU Women's Basketball Hands Out Season Awards At Annual Banquet
Freshmen guard Marneshia Richard nabbed three awards on the evening. The Lamar, Miss., rookie was awarded the Coaches Award, best field goal percentage award (45%) and claimed the Assists Award with 68 dish outs during the campaign. Richard posted a career-high 14 points in State's SEC Tournament opening-round game versus Florida on March 2.
Freshman All-SEC honoree Robin Porter garnered the field goal percentage award along with the Best Rebounder on the squad. Porter led the Lady Bulldogs in scoring with a 10.6 clip. The Abbeville, Ala. product started all 28 games and ranked 14th in the nation among NCAA Division I Freshmen leaders in games played. She pulled down 168 boards which rank's ninth on MState's all-time freshmen season rebounds list.
Miayorka Johnson was awarded with the Most Improved Player Award for the 2005-06 season. The sophomore from Ripley, Miss., registered 21 points and six rebounds against Florida in the SEC Tourney in North Little Rock, Ark. She scored in double figures in 11 ballgames and posted a double-double in the first meeting with the Gators of UF.
Seniors Blessing Chekwa and Mamie McKinney each received a post-season award. Chekwa was honored with the Defensive Player Award, while McKinney claimed the Most Deflections Award. Chekwa career numbers include 107 games played and 48 starts. McKinney finished her four-year stint claiming 71 blocked shots, ranking her fourth on the school's all-time career chart.
The Sonny Mullins Community Service Award recipient for 2005-06 was Bethany Workman. Workman was named to the SEC Good Works Teams during the season. The Springtown, Texas native is very active in the community. As a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership team, she visits local nursing homes to socialize with the patrons. She also participates in Bully's Blitz, where she reads to local elementary school children. As a member of Coach Fanning's squad, Workman has participated in Compassion Pantry and Adopt-A-Family Lady Bulldog programs. For Compassion Pantry, the Lady Bulldogs helped pass out groceries and other foods to those in need this past September at the Starkville Church of God. This December the Lady Bulldogs adopted a local family in need and donated perishables and gifts.
Sophomore Amy Reeder claimed the squad's Newsom Academic Award. She was recently listed on the SEC Winter Honor Roll and was named to the SEC Freshman Academic list a year ago. A physical education major with a concentration in fitness management, the Pontotoc, Miss., native has maintained a cumulative 3.19 GPA.
MSU Women's Basketball Awards
Field Goal Percentage ?€“ Marneshia Richard
Free Throw Percentage ?€“ Robin Porter
Most Assists ?€“ Marneshia Richard
Most Deflections ?€“ Mamie McKinney
Most Improved Player ?€“ Miayorka Johnson
Best Rebounder ?€“ Robin Porter
Best Defensive Player ?€“ Blessing Chekwa
Coaches Award ?€“ Marneshia Richard
Newsom Academic Award ?€“ Amy Reeder
Sonny Mullins Community Service Award ?€“ Bethany Workman
6th Player Award ?€“ James and Sue White