March 1, 2010

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Samford juniors Emily London and Savannah Hill were named to the Coaches' All-SoCon team and senior Megan Wilderotter earned the Ann Lashley Inspiration Award when the SoCon released its postseason awards on Monday.

London, despite missing five games due to injury, led Samford and finished third in the SoCon in scoring, averaging 15.0 points per game. She also ranked second in the nation in three-point field goal percentage, making 49.2 percent of her attempts.

London ranks third in school history in scoring with 1,153 career points. She set a Samford record with 35 points at Davidson on Jan. 9.

Hill led the team in rebounding, pulling down 5.1 boards per contest and assists with an average of 3.3 assists per game. Hill also ranked second on the squad in scoring with an average of 13.3 points per game.

Hill ranks fourth in school history in scoring. She has amassed 1,061 points so far in her Samford career.

Chattanooga senior forward Shanara Hollinquest was named the SoCon Player of the Year for the second year in a row. Darcie Vincent of Appalachian State was selected as the league's Coach of the Year. College of Charleston's Tonia Gerty was named the Defensive Player of the Year, while Elon's Ali Ford was selected as the Freshman of the Year.

The Ann Lashley Inspiration Award, won by Wilderotter, is presented in memory of former Elon women's basketball associate head coach Ann Lashley, who passes away on Nov. 10, 2005 after a six-month battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Wilderotter suffered a torn ACL during the 2007-08 season and since her return has helped Samford earn a second-place finish in each of its first two seasons in the Southern Conference.

Samford opens play in the Southern Conference Tournament on Friday, Mar. 5, at 8 a.m. (CT) against the winner of the Wofford-Elon game.

2009-10 Southern Conference Coaches All-Conference Team
Sam Ramirez, Appalachian State
Tonia Gerty, College of Charleston
Shanara Hollinquest, Chattanooga
Jenaya Wade-Fray, Chattanooga
Alex Thompson, Davidson
Ali Ford, Elon
Lee Stephens, Furman
Savannah Hill, Samford
Emily London, Samford
Emily Clarke, Western Carolina

All-Freshman Team
Ashlen Dewart, Appalachian State
Anna Freeman, Appalachian Sate
Kayla Christopher, Chattanooga
Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson
Ali Ford, Elon

Player of the Year
Shanara Hollinquest, Chattanooga

Defensive Player of the Year
Tonia Gerty, College of Charleston

Freshman of the Year
Ali Ford, Elon

Coach of the Year
Darcie Vincent, Appalachian State

Ann Lashley Inspiration Award
Megan Wilderotter, Samford