Women’s Basketball Holds Annual Awards And Appreciate Banquet

March 30, 2009

GALLERY (Photos by Mark Crammer)

The Clemson women’s basketball program held its Annual Awards and Appreciation Banquet on Sunday afternoon at the Madren Conference Center on the Clemson campus. Junior Lele Hardy led all honorees with six awards. Red-shirt freshman Bryelle Smith was the only other multiple recipient.

The banquet honored Clemson senior Tasha Taylor and other members of the 2008-09 Lady Tigers. The team finished the year with a 14-17 record to post the program’s highest winning percentage since the 2002-03 season. Clemson advanced to the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament for the second straight year, marking the first time since 1998 and 1999 that the Lady Tigers had won a game in back-to-back seasons at the conference championship. In 2009, Clemson recorded an historic upset in the first round before falling to North Carolina on the second day.

Hardy collected her second straight team Most Valuable Player award to become the first back-to-back winner since Chrissy Floyd earned at least a share of the MVP from 2000-03. She also took home honors for the Leading Rebounder, Best Defensive Player, Bill Nix Coaches’ Award, Annie Tribble Leadership Award and the Strength & Conditioning Award.

Smith was named the Newcomer-of-the-Year after leading the rookie class in minutes played. The native of Raleigh, NC also earned the team’s Best Free Throw Percentage Award for a .941 figure.

Taylor, Whitney Hood, April Parker, Jasmine Tate, Lindsay Welker all were all recipients of awards as well.

2008-09 Lady Tiger Award Winners Best Field Goal Percentage (Ken and Ester Revis Wagner) Whitney Hood – Was 94-203 from the field for a 46.3 field goal percentage Best Free Throw Percentage (Bob and Lana Todd) Bryelle Smith – Missed just one free throw in 17 attempts for a 94.1 percentage Leading Rebounder Award (Mr. Ralph Nix) Lele Hardy – Led team with 261 total rebounds for an 8.4 per game average – Ranked 7th in the ACC in overall rebounding and third in defensive rebounding Best Defensive Player Award (Retired Lt. Col. And Mrs. Don R. Castle) Lele Hardy – Named to the 2009 ACC All-Defensive Team – Totaled 106 steals in 2008-09, second-most in program history for a single season – Led the ACC with 3.4 steals per game Playmaker Award (Mr. Wofford Powell) Tasha Taylor – Had a team-high 95 assists in 2008-09 Gene Beard Hustle Award (Mr. and Mrs. Gene Beard) April Parker Newcomer-of-the-Year Award (Mr. Charlie Smith) Bryelle Smith – Led all freshmen with 13.9 minutes played per game – Averaged 3.9 points per game with 44 assists, 14 steals and 22 three-point field goals made for the year Bill Nix Coaches’ Award (Cheryl Hanna and Karen Nix) Lele Hardy Most Improved Award (Wachovia Bank of South Carolina) Jasmine Tate – Played in all 31 games with 17 starts in 2008-09 – More than doubled both her scoring and rebounding averages from her freshman season – Led team in blocks with 36 and ranked second in rebounding with 148 (4.8pg) Most Valuable Player Award (Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Edwards) Lele Hardy – Named to the All-ACC Third Team – Led team in scoring (16.2ppg), rebounding (8.4rpg), steals (106) and three-point field goals (40) – Also had 94 assists for the year – Only player to start all 31 games Annie Tribble Leadership Award (Pat Rhoden) Lele Hardy Academic Achievement Award (The Garrison Family) Lindsey Mason – Had the highest GPA on the team Strength and Conditioning Award (National Strength and Conditioning Association) Lele Hardy Air Force ROTC Award (Clemson Air Force ROTC) (Presented to the player who best exhibits the core values of the Air Force, as demonstrated by his integrity, service before self, and excellence in all endeavors) Lindsay Welker