JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Freshman forward Jecca Simerly (Talbott, Tenn.) earned the Division II Athlete of the Week by Women Play Ball announced Wednesday afternoon. Simerly is the first women's basketball to earn the honor since Chante' Markus took the accolade home on January 21.
"We started off with really hard opponents so that prepared us," Simerly said following last Saturday's game against Coker. "It's helped led up to everything going well and help us have good play inside."
Simerly began the week with eight points, seven rebounds, three blocks, two assists and a steal in a victory over Tusculum. The freshman forward became the first player since junior guard Tatum Burstrom (Maryville, Tenn.) poured in 20 at Lenoir-Rhyne on December 14, 2013 to score 20 points in a half as Simerly went 10-for-12 from the floor in the opening half against Coker on Saturday.
Simerly recorded the first double-double of the year by a Lady Eagle in the game finishing with career-highs in points and rebounds with 27 and 10. The freshman went 13-for-16 from the floor and chipped in three assists.
The Talbott, Tenn. native is second the Lady Eagles roster in scoring at 12.6 points per game while leading the team with 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks and steals per contest this year. Her seven total blocks this year ranks fourth in the South Atlantic Conference while her 64.3 percent field goal percentage leads the league.
The freshman forward joins volleyball players Kiayna O'Neal, Kristen Pickett and Rachel Harper to have been named Athlete of the Week by the publication this year.
Women Play Ball is an organization dedicated to female athletics.
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