2/24 - ALL-CONFERENCE: Cave and Thomas First Team, Clark Honorable Mention All-NWC
Three George Fox University women's basketball players have received All-Northwest Conference recognition for their fine seasons in leading the Bruins to their 10th straight winning season with a 15-10 oveall record and a 10-6 league mark, good for 4th place.
Named to the All-NWC First Team were Darby Cave (Jr., P, Portland, Ore.) and Kellie Thomas (Fr., W, Medford, Ore.). Liz Clark (So., W, Elbe, Wash.) was accorded All-NWC Honorable Mention.
Cave led the conference in field goal pct. (.549) while ranking 14th in scoring (10.8), 9th in rebounds (6.2), and 5th in blocks (0.76). Three times she received Honorable Mention for NWC Player of the Week. She posted 4 double-doubles in points and rebounds, hit double figures in scoring 14 times, and led the team in scoring 8 times and in rebounds 5 times. She topped the Bruins in field goals (113), field goal pct. (.549), and blocked shots (48), and was 2nd in scoring (10.8), points (270), free throw pct. (.759), rebounds (156) and rebounding avg. (6.2).
Thomas, who red-shirted last season, broke in with a bang, ranking 4th in the NWC in scoring (12.6), 4th in free throw pct. (.806), 9th in 3-pt field goal pct. (.362), 5th in 3-pt field goals (1.52), 14th in assists (2.28), 15th in steals (1.48), and 8th in blocks (0.60). She was NWC Co-Player of the Week for Feb. 17-23, and was nominated two other times. She scored in double figures 17 times, leading the team 8 times, with a career-high 20 at Lewis & Clark. She was the team leader in scoring (12.6), points (314), field goal attempts (294), 3-pt field goals (38), 3-pt attempts (105), 3-pt pct. (.362), free throws (58), free throw attempts (72), free throw pct. (.806), and was 2nd in field goals (109).
Clark turned into one of the best rebounders in the league, ranking 2nd in the NWC in rebound (7.8), while standing 25th in scoring (8.3), and 9th in steals (1.64, T). She posted 4 double-doubles in points and rebounds, hitting twin digits in scoring 8 times and in rebounds 7 times. She had career highs of 24 points vs. Eastern Oregon in the Lady 'Yote Tournament in Caldwell, Idaho, and twice had 17 rebounds, vs. Whitworth and Willamette. She led the team in scoring 4 times and in rebounds 11 times.
Other First Team ALL-NWC members included Tiffany Speer, the league MPV, of Whitworth, Lindsay May and Lucy Wilson of Puget Sound, and Courtney John of PLU. Helen Higgs of Whitworth received "Coach of the Year" honors for the second year in a row.
For a complete list of 2003 All-Northwest Conference performers, visit the NWC web site at www.nwcsports.com.