March 7, 2008

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - Park University's Ashley Birch was named NAIA Independent Region Women's Basketball Player of the Year, headlining a list of 10 Independent student-athletes to be named to the All-Independent First- and Second-Teams.

 

Birch, a transfer to the Pirates this season from Missouri Southern, has led Park and the Independent Region in scoring and steals, averaging 16.4 points per game and racking up 105 steals on the season. She has also grabbed 6.8 rebounds per game in 28 contests for the Pirates, making 24 starts.

 

Birch is joined on the first team by Morris College's April Drakeford and Danielle Jenkins from Brescia, who averages 15.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per contest. Jenkins' teammate, Helen McKinney, also landed on the first team, averaging 15.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

 

Voorhees' Brittney Whaley rounded out the first team, while Morris freshman Tyneshia Eaddy headlines the second team, earning the designation as Independent Region Freshman of the Year.

 

She is joined on the second team by Rhadja Page of Voorhees College and Christal Floyd at Brescia, who has scored 10.4 points and grabbed 4.8 rebounds per game.

 

Park's Cherrale Ricks (10.2 points, 7.4 rebounds per game) and Jackie Greer (9.0 points per game, 83 steals) rounded out the second team.

 

The All-Academic team is also listed below.

 

First Team

Ashley Birch, Park*

April Drakeford, Morris

Danielle Jenkins, Brescia

Helen McKinney, Brescia

Brittney Whaley, Voorhees

* Independent Player of the Year

 

Second Team

Tyneshia Eaddy, Morris%

Rhadja Page, Voorhees

Christal Floyd, Brescia

Cherrale Ricks, Park

Jackie Greer, Park

% Freshman of the Year

 

All-Academic

Ashley Birch, Park

Paula Carver, Brescia

Christal Floyd, Brescia

Latonyan Gillespie, Voorhees

Megan McGrath, Brescia