Women's Basketball | 3/1/2018 1:20:00 PM

Rock Hill, S.C.----Wingate University senior center Marta Miscenko (Riga, Latvia) is the South Atlantic Conference Co-Player of the Year, league officials announce Thursday. Miscenko is a first team All-SAC selection as well. Two WU teammates earn second team All-SAC laurels: junior guard Caroline Averette (Midlothian, Va.) and junior forward Danasia Witherspoon (Hickory, N.C.).
 
"I am thrilled for Marta and our team that she has been recognized as the SAC Player of the Year," Wingate head coach Ann Hancock says. "Marta's presence on both ends of the floor has drawn lots of attention from almost every opponent this year. Her ability to still be successful with three and four defenders around her at all times has been fun to watch. It is also a testament to our team to find ways to continue to be successful with teams trying to take away our inside game." 
 
Marta Miscenko
 
Miscenko leads the Bulldogs with 16.3 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game and 2.7 blocks per game. On the SAC charts, she is sixth in scoring, fifth in rebounding and second in blocked shots. In league-only games, Miscenko posted 16.3 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game. She joined Wingate's 1000-point club earlier this season.
 
She had a career-high 31 points and nine rebounds in a home-court victory over Lenoir-Rhyne. Three games later, she netted 29 points in a road triumph at Coker. Miscenko posted 28 points and 10 boards in a home win over Lincoln Memorial. She started her senior season with 27 points and 14 boards in a SAC/PBC Challenge victory over Georgia College (at Wingate).
 
Caroline Averette
 
Averette is one of only two Bulldogs to start every game this season. She averages 13.4 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game. Her 49.4 field goal percentage (131-of-265), her 43.0 three-point field goal percentage (43-of-100) and her 43 three-point field goals made lead the team. Averette is fourth in the SAC in three-point field goal percentage.
 
She scored 23 of her 23 points in the second half as Wingate handed Carson-Newman its first loss of the season on Jan. 13. Averette posted 22 points in the Bulldogs' home triumph over Coker. She had 19 points in back-to-back victories over Newberry and Catawba. In Wingate's 20 SAC regular season games, Averette averaged 14.4 points per game (second to Marta Miscenko).
 
Danasia Witherspoon
 
Witherspoon started her season with a bang in the SAC/PBC Challenge, recording 16 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Georgia College and 17 points and 11 boards in a victory over perennial region power Clayton State. On the season, Witherspoon is averaging 10.2 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game. She leads the team in steals (49) and charges taken.
 
She had 17 points in a December SAC victory over Tusculum. Witherspoon recorded three double-doubles against SAC opponents with two in the regular season. She had 17/10 in the aforementioned TC win, 12/10 in a triumph over Anderson and 12/13 last night against Newberry in the SAC quarterfinals. Witherspoon passed the 1000-point plateau in last night's SAC first-round contest.
 
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
 
Wingate head coach Ann Hancock on Marta Miscenko:
 
"Marta has improved each season and has become a player for whom opposing teams must prepare. It's always nice as a coach to see a player put in the work and be rewarded for their efforts. Marta has found ways to impact the game even if she is not scoring the ball. She is a very good passer and is willing to share the ball to teammates who are open. She is also the anchor for our defense. It is nice to have her in there for rebounds and blocked shots. She has certainly been a special player for us and will be missed."
 
Wingate head coach Ann Hancock on Caroline Averette and Danasia Witherspoon:
 
"Caroline and Danasia are such integral parts of our team and success…it is super special for them to be honored by making second team All-South Atlantic Conference. They go about doing their jobs in a workman-like fashion. They could be easily overlooked from the outside observer, but we know all of the things they do to help us win. Caroline has had a terrific season offensively. Danasia is one of the best defenders I have ever coached. It is hard to place a value on the things she does for our team. We are proud of them, but also know these are truly team awards." 
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
A comprehensive, independent and growing university, Wingate serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Founded in 1896, the University offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as graduate and professional programs. Wingate is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. Wingate blends in-class exploration with out-of-class application to deliver an uncommon and life-changing educational experience.
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past 11 years. Wingate is first in the 2000s among NCAA Division II and North Carolina's colleges and universities with 99 CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 108 lifetime Academic All-America® honorees. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com. Current news and videos can be found at www.wingate.edu.

2017-18 South Atlantic Conference Women's Basketball All-SAC agate 

First Team
Marta Miscenko, Wingate
Haris Price, Carson-Newman
Mika Wester, Carson-Newman
Terri Rogers, Catawba
Meg Essex, Newberry
Alexis Dillard, Anderson

Second Team
Caroline Averette, Wingate
Shea Coker, Lincoln Memorial
Kayla Marosites, Carson-Newman
Serena Brown, Catawba
Danasia Witherspoon, Wingate
Shelby Britten, Newberry

Honorable Mention
Madi Suddreth, Lenoir-Rhyne
Alexy Mollenhauer, Anderson
Briana Smith, Carson-Newman
Lade Adepoju, Queens
Kasey Johnson, Tusculum
Sydney Wilson, Tusculum

All-Freshman
Qua Hines, Lincoln Memorial
Taisha DeShazo, Catawba
Kennedy Weigt, Lenoir-Rhyne
Hannah Stull, Coker
Talia Barnes, Catawba
Kristian Eanes, Queens

Co-Player of the Year
Marta Miscenko, Wingate
Haris Price, Carson-Newman

Freshman of the Year
Qua Hines, Lincoln Memorial

Defensive Player of the Year
Alexis Dillard, Anderson

Coach of the Year
Mike Mincey, Carson-Newman

Wingate's SAC Statistical Champions
Team Three-Point FG Percentage – Wingate, 38.8
Team Scoring Defense – Wingate, 58.6