March 1, 2004

RICHARDSON, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' women's basketball team had four players and its head coach honored by the American Southwest Conference, Monday afternoon when the ASC postseason awards and all-conference teams were named.

Senior guard Veronica Jones was named the ASC West defensive player of the year, freshman center Melissa Henley won freshman of the year honors and Shanna Briggs was named coach of the year in voting by the league's coaches.

Lauren Harris was named to the All-ASC team, which honored players from the East and West Divisions. Diana Martinez and Harris were named first-team All-ASC West. Jones was named to the second team. Henley was a member of the freshman team.

The Cowgirls won their seventh straight ASC title and sixth straight ASC Tournament title over the weekend and finished 13-1 in ASC West play.

April Ramirez of Sul Ross State ended the Cowgirls' six-year reign as the ASC West Player of the Year.

ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

Patrece Carter, P, Sr., Louisiana College

Lauren Harris, F, Sr., Hardin-Simmos

Lacey Palomarez, P, So., Mississippi College

April Ramirez, G, Sr., Sul Ross State

Kayla Smiley, P, Jr., Austin College

First Team All-West Division

Ashley Edwards, G, Jr., Concordia-Austin

Lauren Harris, F, Sr., Hardin-Simmons

Diana Martinez, G, Jr., Hardin-Simmons

Lisa Martinez, F, So., Mary Hardin-Baylor

April Ramirez, G, Sr., Sul Ross State

West Division Player of the Year: April Ramirez, Sul Ross State University

West Division Defensive Player of the Year:Veronica Jones, Hardin-Simmons University

West Division Newcomer of the Year: Latrice Hutchins, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

West Division Freshman of the Year: Melissa Henley, Hardin-Simmons University

West Division Coach of the Year: Shanna Briggs, Hardin-Simmons University

Second-Team All-West Division

Danielle Barnett, F, So., Concordia-Austin

Jennifer Gilchriest, F, Jr., Mary Hardin-Baylor

Veronica Jones, G, Sr., Hardin-Simmons

Nichole Salzman, F, Sr., Howard Payne

Sonya West, P, So., McMurry

West Division Freshman Team

Molly Buker, F, Fr., Howard Payne

Elisa Duron, G, Fr., Texas Lutheran

Melissa Henley, P, Fr., Hardin-Simmons

Christy Hubbard, PG, Fr., Concordia-Austin

Symbri Tuttle, PG, Fr., McMurry