March 1, 2010

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina junior Emily Clarke was today named 2010 All-Southern Conference as selected by the league coaches. It is the first honor for Clarke and the fourth year in a row the Catamounts has placed someone on the coaches' all-conference list.

Clarke has had a break-out season, pacing the Catamounts averaging 13.2 points per game, to rank her eighth in scoring in the Southern Conference. She has also connected on 61 three-pointers this season ranking her fifth in the Catamount record books for three-pointers in a single season. She needs eight to take over first place in the record books, from former Catamount Yoneko Allen who had 67 in the 2002-03 season.

This season, Clarke has led Western Carolina in scoring 13 times and has scored in double figures in 19 games. She posted a career-high 27 points this season in the Catamounts' 66-58 win over Furman on January 2, 2010.

Chattanooga senior forward Shanara Hollinquest was tabbed by the Southern Conference women's basketball coaches as the league's Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. College of Charleston's Tonia Gerty was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year.

Other members of the 10-Team All-Conference teams includes, Appalachian State's Sam Ramirez, Chattanooga's Jenaya Wade-Fray, Davidson's Alex Thompson, Elon's Ali Ford, Furman's Lee Stephens and Samford teammates Emily London and Savannah Hill.

Western Carolina drew the No. 8 seed in the Southern Conference Tournament and will face No. 9 seed UNC Greensboro Thursday, March 4, at approximately 3 p.m. at the Bojangles' Arena in Charlotte, N.C.

2009-10 Southern Conference Coaches All-Conference Team

Tonia Gerty, College of Charleston

Shanara Hollinquest, Chattanooga

Jenaya Wade-Fray, Chattanooga

Alex Thompson, Davidson

Ali Ford, Elon

Lee Stephens, Furman

Savannah Hill, Samford

Emily London, Samford

Emily Clarke, Western Carolina

All-Freshman Team

Ashlen Dewart, Appalachian State

Anna Freeman, Appalachian Sate

Kayla Christopher, Chattanooga

Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson

Ali Ford, Elon

Player of the Year

Shanara Hollinquest, Chattanooga

Defensive Player of the Year

Tonia Gerty, College of Charleston

Freshman of the Year

Ali Ford, Elon

Coach of the Year,

Darcie Vincent, Appalachian State

Ann Lashley Inspiration Award

Megan Wilderotter, Samford