Kea Named Top Player At Season-Ending Banquet

April 17, 2017 | Women's Basketball

By: UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL - The annual end of season banquet for the North Carolina women's basketball team put a wrap on the 2016-17 campaign.

Redshirt sophomore guard Paris Kea was named the team's overall champion for receiving the most cumulative points in all statistical categories maintained by the coaching staff throughout the season.

Kea also garnered most improved athlete honors and the Strength and Conditioning Award.

Junior guard Jamie Cherry earned the top offensive player of the year, while sophomore guard Destinee Walker was honored as the Tar Heels' best defender for the second year in a row.

Freshman Taylor Koenen was named sixth player of the year, sophomore guard Stephanie Watts earned the Best Outstanding Performance Award for breaking the ACC record with 10 three-pointers against Charleston Southern on Nov. 22, 2016.

The coaches' award went to freshmen Ali Cyr-Scully, Naomi Van Nes, Emily Sullivan, Liz Roberts and Olivia Smith for the impact they made on the program all season long.

Volunteer of the year went to Casey Elrod for his work as part of the Tar Heel radio broadcasts, and the Outstanding Service Award was given to David Stone.

Senior managers Will Dallas, Raven Evans and Halle Thompson were recognized for their many hours of hard work to the Carolina Women's Basketball program.

2016-17 Special Recognition Award - UNC administrators Nicki Moore and Martina Ballen (Unyielding and unshakable support for Women's Basketball and its upward climb)
2016-17 Outstanding Service Award - David Stone
2016-17 Volunteer of the Year - Casey Elrod
2016-17 Most Inspirational - Olivia Smith
2016-17 Strength and Conditioning Award - Paris Kea
2016-17 Most Improved Strength and Conditioning Award - Jamie Cherry and Stephanie Watts
2016-17 Academic Award - Ali Cyr-Scully
2016-17 Sixth Player Award-Taylor Koenen
2016-17 Coaches' Award-Ali Cyr-Scully, Naomi Van Nes, Emily Sullivan, Liz Roberts and Olivia Smith
2016-17 Most Improved Athlete Award-Paris Kea
2016-17 Best Defense Award-Destinee Walker
2016-17 Best Offense Award-Jamie Cherry
2016-17 Overall Champion Award-Paris Kea-1,138 points from all statistical categories
2016-17 Best Outstanding Performance Award-Stephanie Watts (Breaking the ACC record 10 three pointers in the game against Charleston Southern – November 22, 2016)