Central Islip, NY - Jennifer DiChiara of Queens College has been tabbed the 2009 East Coast Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year. First year stand-out Briana Sloper of St. Thomas Aquinas has been named the 2009 ECC Rookie of the Year.
DiChiara dominated the court this season. She leads the ECC in rebounding with 12.5 caroms per contest, and has swatted away a conference-best 71 shots on defense. The three-time ECC Player of the Week ranks second on her team with a 16.2 points per game average and has tallied 18 double-doubles on the season.
Sloper set the pace for the Spartans this season averaging a team high 15.1 points per game while adding 7.1 rebounds per game. An eight-time Rookie of the Week selection, Sloper notched seven double-doubles this season and garners All-Conference Second Team honors as well.
In his third year at the Helm of the Dowling College women's basketball program, Joe Pellicane has been voted the 2009 ECC Coach of the Year by his peers. Pellicane has led the Golden Lions to a 20-7 overall mark so far this season, including a 14-4 record in ECC play. The Golden Lions have secured the No. 2 seed in the ECC Tournament and hold a No. 8 Regional Ranking.
First Team All Conference recipients include: Amanda Bartlett (So., G, Queens), Shannon Malone (Jr., F, Bridgeport), Christie Marrone (Gr., G, Dowling), Molly Tubridy (Sr., F, Dowling) and Kymira Woodberry (Jr., F, Molloy).
The Second Team is comprised of: Christina Baxter (Sr., G, Mercy), Serita Lee (Sr., F, Adelphi), Jasmine Moore (Jr., G, C.W. Post), Whitney Murrer (Sr., F, C.W. Post) and Briana Sloper (Fr., F, St. Thomas Aquinas).
The All-Rookie Team includes: Julia Colley (G/F, Bridgeport), Felicia Joyner (G, C.W. Post), Aimee Levine (G, Mercy), Kelly Puwalski (G, Dowling) and Briana Sloper (F, St. Thomas Aquinas).
2009 All-Conference Teams
First Team
Amanda Bartlett - So., G, Queens
Shannon Malone - Jr., F, Bridgeport
Christie Marrone - Gr., G, Dowling
Molly Tubridy - Sr., F, Dowling
Kymira Woodberry - Jr., F, Molloy
Second Team
Christina Baxter - Sr., G, Mercy
Serita Lee - Sr., F, Adelphi
Jasmine Moore - Jr., G, C.W. Post
Whitney Murrer - Sr., F, C.W. Post
Briana Sloper - Fr., F, St. Thomas Aquinas
All-Rookie Team
Julia Colley - G/F, Bridgeport
Felicia Joyner - G, C.W. Post
Aimee Levine - G, Mercy
Kelly Puwalski - G, Dowling
Briana Sloper - F, St. Thomas Aquinas
East Coast Conference Player of the Year: Jennifer DiChiara - Gr., F, Queens
East Coast Conference Rookie of the Year: Briana Sloper - St. Thomas Aquinas
Coach of the Year: Joe Pellicane - Dowling
