By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It was a different kind of banquet on Tuesday night for the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team as the Golden Eagles announced their annual team awards.
The usual dinner with a legion of loyal followers was pared down to a much more intimate yet casual event with the team and staff, a smaller setup as the team continues to follow COVID protocols.
The evening ended with five players coming away with the team's four awards.
The Frank Porter Award, the team's most prestigious award, went to senior guard Megan Clark. The award, voted on by her teammates, recognizes the winner's team contributions, including leadership, sportsmanship and fair play, with considerations for academic achievement, citizenship and poise on and off the court.
Clark played in 24 of the team's 25 contests, scoring 103 points on the season. She was a .474 shooter from the floor, .421 from 3-point range and .591 at the line. Clark also had 55 rebounds, 20 assists, nine steals and a block.
The Ed and Wanda Jared Family Athletics Endowment is named in honor of two alumni who have been avid supporters of the University and Tech Athletics. The award, selected by their teammates, was split this season between juniors Anna Jones and Grace Pelphrey.
A Middle Tennessee transfer, Jones made an immediate impact with the Golden Eagles this season. Jones finished the year averaging 11.2 points and 6.2 rebounds, while recording 59 assists and 29 steals. Jones, from the floor, shot .500, while she was .402 from 3-point range in 87 tries and .816 from the free-throw line on 49 attempts. An All-Ohio Valley Conference second-team selection, Jones recorded her first career double-double with 10 boards and 12 points at Eastern Kentucky. She scored in double-figures in 15 of 25 games played, while starting all 25 contests.
Pelphrey saw action in six contests, scoring five points and collecting a steal. She was named Tech Athletics' Unsung Leader Award winner in December 2020, citing her positive attitude and willingness to do whatever she can to help the team.
The John and Anne Hendrix Basketball Leadership Award is selected by the coaching staff and awarded to a player for their leadership skill. The award is named after two avid supporters of the University and contributors to the community and was established in their memory by friends and family with the goal of helping student-athletes further their education.
Senior Mackenzie Coleman was named this season's recipient. Coleman averaged 10.3 points per game in the 2020-21 campaign while starting all 25 contests. Coleman became the 33rd player to join the program's 1,000-point club and finished the year with 258 points. From the floor, she shot .469, .361 from 3-point range and .840 from the free-throw line. Coleman averaged 5.6 rebounds a game and had a team-high 37 blocks to go along with 28 assists and 19 steals.
The final award, the Most Outstanding Scholar Athlete, was awarded to junior Taylor Lamb. Finishing up after a season-ending injury turned into a career-ending one, Lamb was still a crucial part of the Golden Eagle lineup, providing a major support role on the sidelines and in practice. Lamb will graduate in May with a professional studies degree with a concentration in health administration, finishing her course work in three years. She has been a regular fixture on the Tech Athletic Director's Honor Roll and Dean's List, as well as the Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information