March 1, 2011
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina sophomore guard Ieasia Walker earned a spot on the All-SEC Second Team, the league announced today. In a vote by the league’s coaches, the Gamecocks’ leading scorer was named among the top 16 players in the conference this season.
“It’s always good for the team when players get recognized, especially one who has worked as hard as Ieasia did in the offseason to elevate her game,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said. “She has been a critical part of our success this season, but it’s really been success built on the team as a whole. We have shown this season what a cohesive unit can accomplish, and we hope to continue doing that into the postseason.”
Walker has been South Carolina’s leading scorer since a 30-point effort against Clemson just three games into this season. Currently holding a 12.4 points-per-game average, she maintained her status thanks to netting double-figures in 21 of 29 games this season, including four games of 20 or more points. Ranked 13th in the SEC in overall scoring, Walker is ninth in the league with 13.3 points per game in SEC contests, during which she posted double figures in 14 of 16 outings.
While pouring in points, Walker’s game has been multi-dimensional all season long, especially since league play began in January. Defensively, she is third in the SEC in steals, both overall (2.6) and in league play (2.8), and has swiped three or more 15 times this season, including 10 SEC games. Walker is third on the team in rebounds per conference game (4.3) and posted the Gamecocks’ first points-rebounds double-double by a guard since the 2006-07 season when she put up 20 points and 11 rebounds at Ole Miss on Jan. 16. Walker has led the team in assists six times this season, including a pair of career-best six-assist outings, and is second on the team in assists per game.
South Carolina opens play in the 2011 SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tenn., on Thu., March 3, facing Ole Miss at 7:30 p.m. (ET). The Gamecocks posted a league record of 8-8 to earn the No. 5 seed in the event, their highest seed and overall finish (tied-fifth) since 2002-03. All games of the first two rounds of the SEC Tournament will air live on FSN.
2011 All-SEC First Team
Tierney Jenkins, Alabama
Alli Smalley, Auburn
Porsha Phillips, Georgia
Victoria Dunlap, Kentucky
LaSondra Barrett, LSU
Shekinna Stricklen, Tennessee
Glory Johnson, Tennessee
Jence Rhoads, Vanderbilt
2011 All-SEC Second Team
C’eira Ricketts, Arkansas
Sarah Watkins, Arkansas
Jasmine James, Georgia
A’dia Mathies, Kentucky
Kayla Melson, Ole Miss
Mary Kathryn Govero, Mississippi State
Ieasia Walker, South Carolina
Meighan Simmons, Tennessee
Coach of the Year: Pat Summitt, Tennessee
Player of the Year: Shekinna Stricklen, Tennessee
Freshman of the Year: Meighan Simmons, Tennessee
Defensive Player of the Year: Victoria Dunlap, Kentucky
6th Woman of the Year: Stephanie Holzer, Vanderbilt
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Mary Kathryn Govero, Mississippi State
