University of Connecticut Athletics
Tina Charles Named BIG EAST Freshman of the Year at 2007 BIG EAST Women's Basketball Banquet
3/2/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Sophomore Renee Montgomery named to first team All-BIG EAST
HARTFORD, Conn. (March 2, 2007) - Five members of the University of Connecticut women's basketball team were recognized at the 2007 BIG EAST Women's Basketball Awards Banquet on Friday night at the Hartford Hilton, highlighted with Tina Charles' (Jamaica, N.Y.) selection as the 2007 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and sophomore Renee Montgomery's (St. Albans, W. Va.) selection to the All-BIG EAST First Team.
Charles was also named as a All-BIG EAST Second Team choice and was joined by teammates junior forward Charde Houston (San Diego, Calif.) and sophomore guard Kalana Greene (Saint Stephen, S.C.).
Freshman Kaili McLaren (Washington, D.C.) joined Charles on the All-BIG EAST Freshman squad.
Charles selection as BIG EAST Freshman of the Year marks the second consecutive season that a UConn player has garnered the honor after Montgomery's selection last year. It also represents the ninth time in the program's history that a Connecticut player has been slotted as the league's top freshman.
Charles has enjoyed a breakout freshman campaign that has seen her break a number if UConn freshman marks including the single-game scoring record (34 points at South Florida), most double-doubles (10), most rebounds (254) and she tied the overall UConn single-game shot block record with nine vs. Notre Dame on Jan. 27.
Montgomery is UConn's 31 All-BIG EAST First Team selection and the first UConn sophomore to earn the honor since Diana Taurasi in 2001-02. Montgomery is also among the top-11 candidates for the Nancy Lieberman Award, which recognizes the nation's top point guard. She currently leads the team in scoring at 13.1 ppg, assists (139), steals (66) and double-figure scoring games (22).
Houston earned second team All-BIG EAST status after being an honorable mention all-league choice as a sophomore. She is currently averaging 12.3 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting .556 from the field. Houston has posted double-figure points in 19 games this season and currently ranks 10th on UConn's career block list with 115.
Greene has enjoyed a standout sophomore campaign in her first year as a starter as she is averaging 12.3 points per game - nearly triple her scoring average from her freshman season. The slashing guard has tallied 18 double-figure scoring efforts this season and boasts five games with at least 20 points this season.
McLaren was named to the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team which along with Charles' selection gives Connecticut 25 all-time mentions to the league's all-freshman squad.
Player of the Year – Angel McCoughtry, Louisville (So., F, Baltimore, Md.)
Freshman of the Year – Tina Charles, Connecticut (Fr., C, Jamaica, N.Y.)
Coach of the Year – Terri Mitchell, Marquette (11th season)
Defensive Player of the Year – Essence Carson, Rutgers (Jr., G, Paterson, N.J.)
Most Improved Player – Shavonte Zellous, Pittsburgh (So., G, Orlando, Fla.)
BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award – Jenna Rubino, DePaul (Sr., G, Mokena, Ill.)
BIG EAST/Aéropostale Scholar-Athlete – Jenna Rubino, DePaul (Sr., G, Mokena, Ill.)
ALL-BIG EAST FIRST TEAM
School Class Position Hometown
Charel Allen Notre Dame Jr. G Monessen, Pa.
Essence Carson Rutgers Jr. G Paterson, N.J.
Jessica Dickson USF Sr. F Ocala, Fla.
Krystal Ellis Marquette So. G Racine, Wis.
Angel McCoughtry Louisville So. F Baltimore, Md.
Renee Montgomery Connecticut So. G St. Albans, W.Va.
Christina Quaye Marquette Sr. F Chicago, Ill.
Olayinka Sanni West Virginia Jr. C Chicago Heights, Ill.
Kia Vaughn Rutgers So. C Bronx, N.Y.
Marcedes Walker Pittsburgh Jr. C Philadelphia, Pa.
Shavonte Zellous Pittsburgh So. G Orlando, Fla.
ALL-BIG EAST SECOND TEAM
School Class Position Hometown
Matee Ajavon Rutgers Jr. G Newark, N.J.
Tina Charles Connecticut Fr. C Jamaica, N.Y.
Shantia Grace USF So. G Sarasota, Fla.
Kalana Greene Connecticut So. G Saint Stephens, S.C.
Charde Houston Connecticut Jr. F San Diego, Calif.
Chelsea Marandola Providence So. G Johnston, R.I.
Kieraah Marlow Georgetown Jr. F Coatesville, Pa.
LaQuita Owens West Virginia Jr. G Charlotte, N.C.
Allie Quigley DePaul Jr. G Joliet, Ill.
Kia Wright St. John’s R-Jr. G Copiague, N.Y.
HONORABLE MENTION
School Class Position Hometown
Chakhia Cole West Virginia Jr. F Marlboro, N.J.
Jazz Covington Louisville Sr. C Adel, Ga.
Monique McLean St. John’s So. G Newport News, Va.
Nicole Michael Syracuse Fr. G/F Queens, N.Y.
Elizbieta Mukosiej Seton Hall Jr. G Bilystok, Poland
Caprice Smith DePaul Jr. F Maywood, Ill.
ALL-BIG EAST FRESHMAN TEAM^
School Class Position Hometown
Ashley Barlow Notre Dame Fr. G Indianapolis, Ind.
Tina Charles Connecticut Fr. C Jamaica, N.Y.
Kendria Holmes Providence Fr. G Charlotte, N.C.
Carla Jacobs Cincinnati Fr. G Cleveland, Ohio
Melissa Lechlitner Notre Dame Fr. G Mishawaka, Ind.
Kaili McLaren Connecticut Fr. F Washington, D.C.
Nicole Michael Syracuse Fr. G/F Queens, N.Y.
Epiphanny Prince Rutgers Fr. G Brooklyn, N.Y.
Brittany Ray Rutgers Fr. G Bronx, N.Y.
Jania Sims Pittsburgh Fr. G Newark, N.J.
Erica Williamson Notre Dame Fr. C Charlotte, N.C.
^ - An extra member has been added to the All-Freshman Team due to a tie in voting
