Post by Bornthrilla on Mar 11, 2008 9:05:56 GMT -5
Cook, Taylor-James earn second-team honors
RALEIGH, N.C., March 10, 2008 – Although the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team went from second place to MEAC Regular-Season Champion, the postseason accolades for the players did not change.
Amber Bland earned her second consecutive first-team All-MEAC first-team honor when she it was announced at the annual MEAC Tournament Tip-Off Banquet. Also for the second consecutive season, sophomore point guard Ta’Wuana Cook and junior forward Brittanie Taylor-James were named to the MEAC’s second team.
In addition, the Aggies placed a player on the MEAC All-Rookie team for the second straight season as Jalessa Sams followed Cook’s 2006-07 spot on the team with one of her own for the 2007-08 season.
“In my heart I feel like Amber Bland is the best player in the conference,’’ said Bibbs. “I know I sound bias, but when I look at all the things she does on the floor for us and how unselfish she plays; it’s hard for me to come to any other conclusion. Amber has the ability to score 20 a night, but she gives all that up for the betterment of the team. I’m proud of her for that.”
Bland will likely lead the Aggies in scoring for the second straight season. She averages 15.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.8 steals per game. She ranks in the top 15 in an astounding eight different statistical categories and leads the MEAC in 3-point field percentage (.402). Nationally, her defense has helped the Aggies to a No. 2 ranking in steals per game, and she ranks 31st nationally in steals.
Against Howard on March 1, she exceeded the 1,000-point plateau with a 24-point performance, becoming the fastest Aggie to reach 1,000 career points (57 games). She was named MEAC Player of the Week once.
“I learned this year what it means to sacrifice for the team in order to accomplish team goals,’’ said Bland, who ranked 20th in the nation last season in scoring at 19.6 points per game. “It would have been nice to have been recognized as player of the year, but winning the tournament in my mind is more important.”
Bland had so many scorers surrounding her this season, including Cook who followed her MEAC Rookie of the Year season by averaging 13.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 3.3 assists per game. After Bibbs experimented with playing Cook at the two-guard position earlier in the season, Cook moved back to the point guard position on Jan. 26 and her numbers soared from there.
Over the Aggies last 13 games, she is averaging 17.3 points, 4.3 assists, 3.0 steals and has scored 20 or more points six times over that span. Cook also heightened her profile as a defensive player, earning MEAC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice. “She is the heart and soul of this team,’’ said Bibbs. “She’s the engine that keeps the vehicle moving, and she is as fierce a competitor as you’re ever going to meet.”
Bibbs’ didn’t call Taylor-James the engine, but Bibbs said Taylor-James is the “X” factor that makes it difficult to defend the Aggies. Taylor-James is a proven scorer who makes teams pay for focusing on Bland and Cook on the offensive end. Taylor-James averages 11.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and ranks third in the conference in free throw shooting at .797. Taylor-James stepped back into the Aggies starting lineup on Jan. 26 because of an injury. She took full advantage by scoring in double figures in 12 of the Aggies last 13 games. She also shot 47.6 percent over that same span.
“She can flat out play,’’ said Bibbs. “She is a heady offensive player who knows how to score the basketball. She has an array of moves that get her to the basket and get her to the free throw line. And once she is at the line, she knocks down those free throws.”
Sams came to N.C. A&T has one of the most highly regarded recruits in the history of the program. She has not disappointed. Bland averages 9.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists. She has recorded three double-doubles on the season and earned MEAC Rookie of the Week honors once.
“We know Jalessa going to be special,’’ said Bibbs. “Playing on a team with a player like Amber Bland is only going to make her better. We’re excited about the player she can become at N.C. A&T.”
RALEIGH, N.C., March 10, 2008 – Although the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team went from second place to MEAC Regular-Season Champion, the postseason accolades for the players did not change.
Amber Bland earned her second consecutive first-team All-MEAC first-team honor when she it was announced at the annual MEAC Tournament Tip-Off Banquet. Also for the second consecutive season, sophomore point guard Ta’Wuana Cook and junior forward Brittanie Taylor-James were named to the MEAC’s second team.
In addition, the Aggies placed a player on the MEAC All-Rookie team for the second straight season as Jalessa Sams followed Cook’s 2006-07 spot on the team with one of her own for the 2007-08 season.
“In my heart I feel like Amber Bland is the best player in the conference,’’ said Bibbs. “I know I sound bias, but when I look at all the things she does on the floor for us and how unselfish she plays; it’s hard for me to come to any other conclusion. Amber has the ability to score 20 a night, but she gives all that up for the betterment of the team. I’m proud of her for that.”
Bland will likely lead the Aggies in scoring for the second straight season. She averages 15.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.8 steals per game. She ranks in the top 15 in an astounding eight different statistical categories and leads the MEAC in 3-point field percentage (.402). Nationally, her defense has helped the Aggies to a No. 2 ranking in steals per game, and she ranks 31st nationally in steals.
Against Howard on March 1, she exceeded the 1,000-point plateau with a 24-point performance, becoming the fastest Aggie to reach 1,000 career points (57 games). She was named MEAC Player of the Week once.
“I learned this year what it means to sacrifice for the team in order to accomplish team goals,’’ said Bland, who ranked 20th in the nation last season in scoring at 19.6 points per game. “It would have been nice to have been recognized as player of the year, but winning the tournament in my mind is more important.”
Bland had so many scorers surrounding her this season, including Cook who followed her MEAC Rookie of the Year season by averaging 13.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 3.3 assists per game. After Bibbs experimented with playing Cook at the two-guard position earlier in the season, Cook moved back to the point guard position on Jan. 26 and her numbers soared from there.
Over the Aggies last 13 games, she is averaging 17.3 points, 4.3 assists, 3.0 steals and has scored 20 or more points six times over that span. Cook also heightened her profile as a defensive player, earning MEAC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice. “She is the heart and soul of this team,’’ said Bibbs. “She’s the engine that keeps the vehicle moving, and she is as fierce a competitor as you’re ever going to meet.”
Bibbs’ didn’t call Taylor-James the engine, but Bibbs said Taylor-James is the “X” factor that makes it difficult to defend the Aggies. Taylor-James is a proven scorer who makes teams pay for focusing on Bland and Cook on the offensive end. Taylor-James averages 11.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and ranks third in the conference in free throw shooting at .797. Taylor-James stepped back into the Aggies starting lineup on Jan. 26 because of an injury. She took full advantage by scoring in double figures in 12 of the Aggies last 13 games. She also shot 47.6 percent over that same span.
“She can flat out play,’’ said Bibbs. “She is a heady offensive player who knows how to score the basketball. She has an array of moves that get her to the basket and get her to the free throw line. And once she is at the line, she knocks down those free throws.”
Sams came to N.C. A&T has one of the most highly regarded recruits in the history of the program. She has not disappointed. Bland averages 9.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists. She has recorded three double-doubles on the season and earned MEAC Rookie of the Week honors once.
“We know Jalessa going to be special,’’ said Bibbs. “Playing on a team with a player like Amber Bland is only going to make her better. We’re excited about the player she can become at N.C. A&T.”
