March 9, 2008
RUSTON - Louisiana Tech senior Jo Sneed was named first team all-Western Athletic Conference while rookie guard Tarkeisha Wysinger was named to the league's all-Freshman team announced by the conference office Sunday.
Sneed, a Belle Glade, Fla., native earned first team accolades after a stellar senior campaign that saw her average 18.5 points and 10.7 rebounds a contest in WAC-only games while shooting 58 percent from the field and 76 percent from the free throw line.
" Without a doubt JoKeirra deserved to be on the first team," said Tech head coach Chris Long. "She led the league in scoring and was second in rebounding and double doubles and was in the top 5 in field goal percentage. The highest compliment I can give Jo is that she led our team night in and night out. It has been great seeing her develop from the time she came to Louisiana Tech up until this point."
Overall, Sneed averaged 15.8 points and 10.3 rebounds a game while ranking second in the WAC in double doubles with 18 (Hawaii's Tanya Smith registered 19).
"It's an honor to be recognized by the league coaches," Sneed said. "I couldn't have accomplished what I did individually this season without the help of my teammates and coaches. My focus now is to go to the conference tournament and help my team."
Sneed was joined on the five-member first team by Fresno State's Tierre Wilson, Boise State's Tasha Harris, Nevada's Dellena Criner and New Mexico State's Sherell Neal.
The second team was comprised of Boise State's Jessica Thompson, Fresno State's Jaleesa Ross, Hawaii's Tanya Smith, New Mexico State's Anikia Jawara and Idaho's Katie Madison.
Wysinger earned her award after averaging 9.8 points and 6.8 rebounds a game in Louisiana Tech's 16 league contests. The Many, La., native started 19 games on the year, averaging 8.9 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 73 percent from the free throw line.
" Tarkeisha is the rare freshman that can transition from high school to division 1 defensively. She has good instincts, with the physical abilities to impact the game on both ends of the floor. As she develops her jump shot she will be extremely difficult to defend. She already can get to the basket and finish, while also being a tremendous rebounder."
She proved to be Louisiana Tech's top perimeter defender throughout the season, recording a team-high 63 steals on the year, which ranked in the top 5 in the league.
Fresno State's Adrian Wiggins earned the WAC Coach of the Year honor while Fresno State senior Tierre Wilson was named Player of the Year and freshman Jaleesa Ross was named Newcomer of the Year.
Nevada guard Dellena Criner was named Defensive Player of the Year.
2007-08 All-Western Athletic Conference Team
First Team All-WAC
Dellena Criner, Jr., G, Nevada
Tasha Harris, Jr., G, Boise State
Sherell Neal, Sr., F, New Mexico State
JoKeirra Sneed, Sr., F, Louisiana Tech
Tierre Wilson, Sr., G, Fresno State
Second Team All-WAC
Anikia Jawara, Sr., F, New Mexico State
Katie Madison, So., P, Idaho
Jaleesa Ross, Fr., G, Fresno State
Tanya Smith, Sr., F, Hawai`i
Jessica Thompson, Jr., G, Boise State
Player of the Year: Tierre Wilson, Fresno State
Defensive Player of the Year: Dellena Criner, Nevada
Newcomer of the Year: Jaleesa Ross, Fresno State
Coach of the Year: Adrian Wiggins, Fresno State
All-Defensive Team
Dellena Criner, Jr., G, Nevada
Cherlanda Franklin, Jr., F, Nevada
Tasha Harris, Jr., G, Boise State
Sherell Neal, Sr., F, New Mexico State
Tanya Smith, Sr., F, Hawai`
