Hardin-Simmons senior forward Kendra Anderson has been named a finalist for the Josten's Trophy, which is given to the Division III Basketball National Player of the Year. The winner will be announced during the Final Four on March 20th.

Anderson has led the Cowgirls to a 23-0 record and is averaging 18.8 points and 9.9 rebounds. It is the second straight year she has been named a finalist for the award. This week she was named Academic All-District.

The women's finalists are Anderson, Michelle Barlau of St. Benedict, Whitney Bull of Wilkes, Amy Campion of Salisbury, Kristi Channing of UW-Eau Claire, Julie Christensen of Wisconsin Lutheran, Tanasha Ellis of East Texas Baptist, Heather Francoeur of Oglethorpe, Cheryl Kulesa of Rutgers-Camden and Becki Tower of Savannah Art and Design. Heather Kile of Swarthmore was the 2002 winner.

The Jostens Trophy seeks to honor the true Division III student-athlete: excellence in the classroom, on the playing court and in the community. The finalists are voted on by a national selection committee that consists of college coaches, former athletes, college administrators and selected members of the media. The members of the national selection committee cast their votes based on three criteria: basketball ability, academic ability and community service.

Anderson has also been named to the District VI Academic All-Region team as selected by the Sports Information Directors of America.

One of the top candidates for national player of the year, Anderson has a 3.795 grade point average as an Education major. She has recorded six straight 4.0 semesters.

It is the second straight year she has been on the all-district team and will move on to the national ballot where she will look to become a two-time academic All-American.