The All-Philly Division I Women’s Basketball Teams and Awards for the 2017-18 season features Co-Players of the Year and Co-Coaches of the Year. Tanaya Atkinson and Michelle Nwokedi share the Player of the Year Award. Harry Perretta and Denise Dillon are the Coaches of the Year. Eleah Parker of Penn is the Rookie of the Year.
Listed below are the First, Second, Third teams and Honorable Mention awards. This season we have added an All-Newcomer Team for first year players.
The awards and teams are selected by Glenn Papazian of PhillyCollegeSports.com, Mel Greenberg – the Guru, and Matt Leon of KYW Newsradio.
Players of the Year:
Tanaya Atkinson
Tanaya Atkinson – Temple – The senior was the leader and mentor for the Temple team this season. She averaged 21.1 points per game, 9.5 rebounds, in each contest and led the team in assists with 82. She scored 654 points this season. Atkinson recorded 17 double-doubles this year. Her 17 rebounds in the AAC Quarterfinals set a tournament record. She leaves the school second on the school’s all-time scoring (1,890) and rebound list (1,053).
Michelle Nwokedi
Michelle Nwokedi – Penn – The senior form Missouri City, Texas was a stalwart in the front court for Penn, and was also a leader. Nwokedi averaged 12 points per contest. She was a force on the boards pulling down 9 rebounds per game. Nwokedi added 2.5 assists and 3 blocked shot an average in each game. She posted 7 double-doubles over the schedule. Nwokedi will leave the school with over 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 300 blocked shots.
Coaches of the Year:
Harry Perretta – Villanova – The Wildcats Coach complied a record of 22 – 8 this season. The team finished third in the Big East, and he was named the conference Coach of the Year. The team received a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013. Nova was seeded 9th in the Spokane Region. Villanova recorded wins over nationally ranked Duke and DePaul.
Denise Dillon – Drexel – The Dragons tied for the Colonial Athletic Conference regular season title, and Dillon was named the conference Coach of the Year. Drexel compiled a 26 – 7 record this season, setting a program record for number of wins in a season, posting an undefeated record on their home court. They advanced to the CAA Tournament Championship game. The Dragons will compete in the Women’s NIT. It is the 9th time in the last 10 seasons that Drexel will play in the post-season.
Rookie of the Year:
Eleah Parker – Penn – The North Carolina freshman had an impressive opening season for Penn. She averaged over 11 points per game and 8 rebounds in being an interior force for the Quakers. The first year player topped the Ivy League Freshman list in both categories. Parker made 48% of her shots and had 18 double-digit scoring games, and 6 double-doubles.
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