USBWA Announces 2008-2009 Women's Honors

ST. LOUIS -- Since I'm a member of the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), I would be foolish to not make note of the announcement of the winners of the 2008 - 2009 USBWA Women's Honors.

Connecticut sophomore Maya Moore is the 2009 USBWA National Player of the Year. Her UConn head coach, Geno Auriemma, is the 2009 USBWA National Coach of the Year. Tennessee's Shekinna Stricklen is the 2009 USBWA National Freshman of the Year.

I only voted for one of those three people -- Geno Auriemma, for their respective honor.

I chose Louisville's Angel McCoughtry for National Player of the Year and Ohio State's Samantha Prahalis as National Freshman of the Year.

Oklahoma's Courtney Paris is the first player – man or woman – to be named to a USBWA All-America Team four times.

McCoughtry was named to the 2009 USBWA All-America Team along with Maya Moore; Maryland seniors Kristi Toliver and Marissa Coleman; Stanford junior center Jayne Appel; Duke senior Chante Black; Auburn senior guard DeWanna Bonner; Ohio State sophomore center Jantel Lavender; UConn senior guard Renee Montgomery; and California senior post Ashley Walker.