SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (March 11, 2020) – The New England Women’s Basketball Association (NEWBA) has announced its award winners and All-Region selections for the 2019-20 season.
Nominations for NEWBA awards and All-Region were submitted by both coaches and sports information directors in the region, and selections were made based on a vote of the coaches. More information on all honorees can be found below.
Player of the Year
Erica DeCandido • Tufts University (Senior, Guard/Forward, North Wales, Pa.)
NESCAC Player of the Year and 1st Team All-NESCAC selection. DeCandido leads the Jumbos in points (16.3), rebounds (8.3), assists (3.6)...2nd in steals (1.9). DeCandido became the fourth student-athlete in Tufts history to be named NESCAC Player of the Year. From the field, DeCandido has a shooting percentage of 51.0 percent (179-351). The 5-11 guard has scored in double figures in 24 of the Jumbos' 29 games this season.
Rookie of the Year
Bailey Donovan • Husson University (First-year, Center, Island Falls, Maine)
The North Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year and All-NAC First Team honoree, Bailey Donovan, finished out the regular season leading all NCAA Division III women's basketball players in field goal percentage with 64.90% (159-245). Impressively, the rookie wrapped up the regular season leading the NAC in points (203), points per game (14.5), and points per 40 minutes (25.6), as well as offensive rebounds (45), field goals (83), and field goal percentage (65.4 percent). She added on an impressive 50 blocks and 25 steals to her career total of 375 points and 255 boards.
Coach of the Year
Jill Pace • Tufts University (1st Season)
Formerly an assistant with the Jumbos, Coach Pace returned to Tufts and led the team to an undefeated NESCAC regular-season (10-0) and new program record for consecutive wins at 26. She has directed the Jumbos to a 26-1 record heading to the NCAA Tournament this weekend. Pace is Tufts' first NESCAC Coach of the Year since former leader Carla Berube was selected in 2015.
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Decandido, Tufts |
Pace, Tufts |
Donovan, Husson |
All Region Teams
1st Team
Erica DeCandido – Tufts University (Player of the Year)
Maddie Hasson – Bowdoin College
Mary Kate O’Day – Framingham State
Anna Barry – Eastern Connecticut
Samantha Roy – Bowdoin College
2nd Team
Meghan Foley – Gordon College
Mya Villard – Eastern Connecticut
Emily Farrell – Western New England
Molly Ryan – Tufts
Emily Bonafacic – Babson College
3rd Team
Katelyn Pikunka – Smith College
Ashley Brown – Umass-Dartmouth
Mya Mosley – Worcester State
Melissa Gray – Westfield State
Alex Goslin – Springfield College
All-Rookie Teams
1st TEAM
Bailey Donovan – Husson University (Rookie of the Year)
Pam Gonzalez – Regis College
Meg Bauman – Babson College
Sam Hourihan – Springfield College
Flannery O’Connor – Framingham State
2nd TEAM
Elise Magro – Castleton
Alexis Finnerty- Nichols College
Erin Gallella – Worcester State
Bri Forbes – Wheaton College
NEWBA Senior All-Star Classic
Participants
Erica DeCandido - Tufts
Mary-Kate O’Day – Framingham State
Emily Farrell – Western New England
Meghan Foley- Gordon College
Mya Villard- Eastern Connecticut
Mya Mosley – Worcester State
Ashley Brown – Umass-Dartmouth
Emily Bonafacic- Babson College
Emily Velozo – Framingham State
Jocelyn Chaput – Univ. of New England
Emily Jacques – Springfield College
Tianna Sugars – Colby Sawyer
Melinda Ogden – Maine Maritime
Lexie Hamilton – Colby-Sawyer
Rene Hudson – New England College
Sam Leone – Roger Williams
Angelina Marazzi – Fitchburg State
Chelsea Moussette – Westfield State
Meg Orbann – Western New England
Jordyn Gauvin - Rhode Island College
Torie Scorpio – Salve Regina
Courtney Carlson – Western New England
Game will be played at Western New England on March 28