POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference announced its All-Conference awards Tuesday, and the National Tournament-bound Pearl River women's basketball snatched four of them.
Taylor Johnson-Matthews (Cleveland, Ohio; Charles F. Brush) was named First Team and the conference's Player of the Year. Avery Young (Iota, La.) and Hama'ya Fielder (Philadelphia; Neshoba Central) earned Second Team. Head coach Scotty Fletcher was named the Coach of the Year.
TAYLOR JOHNSON-MATTHEWS
It has been nothing short of an exceptional year for Johnson-Matthews. The Wright State transfer led the Wildcats in points per game (18.3), rebounds per game (6.5) and steals per game (2.7). Her 18.3 points per game led the conference and ranked 17th in the NJCAA. She scored double-digit points in 27 of 31 games the Wildcats played. She scored 30 or more points on three occasions and eclipsed 20 points in 13 games. Johnson-Matthews finished with five double-doubles.
"Taylor was bought in before she ever stepped foot on campus, and what an awesome accomplishment for someone who means so much to our program," head coach Scotty Fletcher said. "Taylor is an exceptional young lady who has made her mark on our program. She has a strong work ethic and deserves to be named MACCC Player of the Year.
"Her name will forever be etched in our record books, and it was a true honor to coach her and watch her represent the maroon and gold day in and day out. She was a very versatile player on both ends of the floor and a matchup nightmare. She embodies everything our institution and program stand for."
AVERY YOUNG
Young was the true definition of point guard for the Wildcats this season. She averaged 10.5 points and a team-high 3.7 assists per game. She also chipped in 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals on average.
The sophomore finished the year with 14 double-digit scoring games, including a 36-point outburst in PRCC's MACCC-clinching victory over Northeast.
"Avery has had quite the resume and college career so far," Fletcher said. "She came to our program with the most minutes played on our roster and was very productive. With her in our lineup, we were 27-1 this season. Avery played a pivotal role in our success this season and was an offensive threat from anywhere on the floor. Her basketball IQ is one of the best I've ever coached."
HAMA'YA FIELDER
An Old Dominion commit, Fielder had quite the season for the Wildcats, finishing third on the team in points per game with 9.9. She shot a blistering 35.6 percent from beyond the arc on the year. She hauled in 3.1 rebounds and picked up 1.7 steals per game.
"Hama'ya came to us a winner and state champion and will leave a winner and conference champion," Fletcher said. "Her impact on the court was just as important as her leadership and the intangibles she provides off the court. She is very deserving to be recognized as an all-conference selection. She established herself as one of the best shooters in our conference and the country."
SCOTTY FLETCHER
Fletcher was named the MACCC's Co-Coach of the Year after leading the Wildcats to an MACCC Co-Championship. Pearl River's 27 total wins and 13 MACCC wins are both the most in program history.
Under Fletcher's guidance, PRCC is set to make its first NJCAA Tournament appearance since the 2003 season.
"Anytime you have team success and receive postseason awards, the first place to look is the bench and on the court," Fletcher said. "I have been very blessed to have an amazing staff and a great group of players who have bought into our vision. This award is not about me but for the people who believed in us and supported our vision. I can't thank my assistants Mendy McNeese and Diamond Brooks and the players enough for their sacrifices to make this possible.
"I am very honored and humbled to be named MACCC Coach of the Year."
NEXT UP
Pearl River now heads to Casper, Wyoming to compete in the NJCAA National Tournament. The Wildcats received an at-large bid into the tournament and were named the No. 13 seed. PRCC squares off with 20-seed Eastern Arizona on Monday at 8 p.m. central time.
The opening round throught the semifinal will be livestreamed on ESPN+. The championship game will be nationally televised on ESPNU.
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