We did it for the men, and, now, it's the women's turn for all-star recognition from this blogger.
- Serena Moore, 6-2 senior center, Siena
She leads the league in scoring, rebounding, is second in blocked shots and fifth in field-goal percentage. By far the most unstoppable inside force in the league. Siena's next tallest starter is 5-foot-10, yet the Saints have accumulated more rebounds than opponents this season. And, Siena has already secured its first winning record in MAAC play since the 2003-04 season.
- Erica Allenspach, 5-8 senior guard, Marist
She is the best player on the conference's best team. She ranks fourth in scoring, seventh in assists, 2nd in field-goal percentage and No. 1 in free-throw percentage. She is even her team's second-best rebounder. Clearly one of the conference's smartest on-court performers.
- Abby Wentworth, 5-8 senior guard, Manhattan
Primarily an off-guard much of her career, she made a successful move to the point this year. She is third in the league in scoring, first in assists and 2nd in steals. Another coach-on-the-floor type performer, her team far exceeded expectations and has 20 wins overall entering Sunday's final day of play.
- Miriam McKenzie, 5-10 junior forward, Loyola
The league's second-leading scorer who also ranks fifth in rebounding and fifth in field-goal percentage. An athletic player who can score from both long range and in the paint. She took over several games down the stretch for a team that also exceeded expectations.
- Katie Sheahin, 5-8 sophomore guard, Loyola
She is certainly this blogger's favorite player to watch. She probably wasn't ready when she got thrust into the starting lineup as a freshman, but she came back ready to go as a sophomore. There is no better example of the prototypical point guard in the conference for either women or men. She is clever, flashy and rarely makes a bad play. She makes teammates better. How much more can you ask from a point guard. Then, there's this: She is No. 2 nationally in steals.
Coach of the Year
Brian Giorgis. If the Red Foxes finish out an 18-0 conference season with a win on Sunday, there shouldn't be any debate. It would be just the second time in conference history that a women's team finished 18-0 (the 2007-08 Marist team also did it).
That said, Joe Logan of Loyola should be a close runner-up. Entering Sunday's game his team was 15-2 in confernece play with the only two losses coming against Marist.
Player of the Year
An extremely tough choice ... most-talented player, or most valuable player?
Both attributes describe Siena's Moore and Marist's Allenspach.
Allenspach's minutes (barely 30 per game) are limited by the lopsided nature of her team's victories. No fault of hers, but is has also hindered her statistical output.
And, the award isn't meant to reward value, but to recognize the top achiever.
As the top scorer and rebounder in the league ... that would be Serena Moore.
2 comments:
Well, your Siena bias is obviously not showing at all. I have to disagree with your comment that the award is not meant to reward value. Statistics are just numbers after all, and the intangibles are just as important. A few years ago, a player who was not the leading scorer or rebounder in the MAAC tournament, a player who wasn't even a starter, was still awarded the MVP trophy because her "value" was judged to be more important than the statistical leaders to winning the championship. Ms. Allenspach's contributions to her team's 18-0 league record outweigh mere numbers, in my humble opinion.
Dear Big guy ... Your humble opinions are always appreciated.
The award will likely come down to Allenspach and Moore. I try to be as objective as I can here. But, to lead the league in scoring and rebounds ... that has only happened four times in conference history. And, Moore's numbers dwarfed everyone else's this year.
Again ... it's not an "MVP" award; it's a "best player" award. And, yes, having an affect on team results goes into that. My view is that Marist would have still won the league title even without Allenspach. Without Moore, Siena would have finished eighth or ninth instead of fourth.
Certainly an interesting debate, and I can see the other side, too.
And, my hunch is that league coaches will give it to Allenspach.
I'm just voicing my own humble opinion.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for offering respectful insight.
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