University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Hands Out Awards At Women's Basketball Banquet
April 12, 2000 | Women's Basketball
April 12, 2000
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina women's basketball team gathered with staff and supporters Wednesday night at the Dean E. Smith Center to celebrate the 1999-2000 season and recognize the team's outstanding performers.
Junior LaQuanda Barksdale was named the team's Best All-Around player, adding yet another honor to an outstanding season. The 5-11 forward was named All-ACC and All-ACC Tournament and led the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring (17.6 ppg) and rebounding (8.6 rpg).
Junior Juana Brown was honored with the team's Best Defense award. Regularly asked to guard opposing teams' top scorers, she ranked second on the team in steals and blocks and also averaged 10.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Junior Nikki Teasley received the Best Offense award. The 6-0 guard scored her own points (14.6 per game) but also contributed to the productivity of others with a team-leading 6.2 assists per game. She was named MVP of the ACC Tournament after scoring 31 points in the championship game.
In addition, Barksdale, Brown and Teasley all passed the 1,000-career-points mark this season and each received a personalized basketball Wednesday night to commemorate the milestone.
Junior Jackie Higgins earned the team's Most Improved award. A 6-0 center from Durham, N.C., she averaged 10.2 points and 8.1 rebounds in her second season with the Tar Heels.
The Coach's Award went to freshman guard Cherie Lea, who appeared in all 33 games and started 10. Hustle Awards went to junior guard Leah Sharp and sophomore center LaShonda Allen.
The team also honored Anne Maultsby as its Volunteer of the Year.
The Tar Heels finished the 1999-2000 season 20-13, winning eight of their last 10 games and reaching the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the seventh time in the past eight years.
