Russell, Jackson Collect NEWBA Player of the Week Honors

Maggie Russell
Maggie Russell
Posted: Nov 16, 2022
Player of the Week Rookie of the Week

Maggie Russell
 Tufts 
Junior • Forward • Morristown, PA

A double-double machine in 2021-22 (15 of them), Russell picked up where she left off with 31 points and 17 rebounds in Tufts' season-opening win at defending NESCAC champ Bates. She had eight points and six rebounds in the first quarter, nine and four in the second and nine and six in the third as Tufts gradually built its lead. 

 

Kayla Jackson
 Elms
Feshman • Guard • Saugas, MA

Elms first-year Kayla Jackson was outstanding in her collegiate debut as the Blazers went 2-0 in the opening week. Jackson averaged 17.0 points, 17.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game as Elms earned wins over Salem State and MCLA. 

 
NEWBA First Team
  • Sam Hourihan, Springfield College (Sr. | Forward | Bridgewater, MA) -In a three game week, Hourihan averaged 18 points and nine rebounds with two double-doubles. the Pride went 2-1 with a season opener victory over Western New England, where Hourihan scored 18 points, then capped off the week with a tough 58-53 win over Rowan as Hourihan poured in 23 points on 6-of-11 shooting in the victory. 
  • Jordan Moretti, UMass Dartmouth (Gr. | Guard | Johnston, RI) - Moretti averaged 20.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game as the Corsairs picked up convincing wins over Regis and Husson. 
  • Ericka Pratt, New England College (Sr. | Forward | Miami, FL) - Pratt averaged a double-double for the 'Grims to open their 2022-23 season, including a dominating 66-46 win at Maine Farmington on Saturday. Facing the Beavers, Pratt pulled down a career-high 15 boards to go along with 11 points, three assists, two steals and a block. Pratt scored 14 points against the Terriers on Sunday, leading the 'Grims to a come-from-behind win. For the week, Pratt averaged 12.7 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. 
  • Kylie Grassi, Bridgewater State (So. | Forward | Plymouth, MA) - Averaged 18.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.0 blocks in a perfect 3-0 week for the Bears. She also shot 54.5% (18-33) from the floor, 37.5% (3-8) from behind the arc and 71.4% (15-21) at the free throw line. She tallied 25 points, eight rebounds, five assists, a steal and two blocks in a 70-69 season opening win over Brandeis; 12 points, four rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block in a 63-51 victory at Suffolk; and 17 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals in a 78-53 triumph at Regis. 
  • Katelyn Pickunka, Smith (Gr. | Forward | Westhampton, MA)  - Pickunka averaged 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as the No. 7 Smith Basketball team went 2-0 to claim the Tyler Tip-Off Champoinship. Pickunka shot 53.3% from the field with nine steals and two blocks and was named the Tournament's Most Valuable player. In a 76-63 win over UNE, Pickunka poured in 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds and followed that with a 14 point, 10 rebound and six steal effort in a 76-41 victory against RIC in the championship game. 

Sam Hourihan
Ericka Pratt
Jordan Moretti
Kylie Grassie


  Katelyn Pickunka

 

NEWBA Second Team

Flannery O'Connor

Lauren Plissey

Brooke Guiffre

  Amanda Fudge

Caroline Elie

 

  • Flannery O'Connor, Framingham St. (Jr. | Forward | Amesbury, MA) - Tallied 25 points and 11 boards with an assist in the win over Wellesley. Connected on 11 of 16 from the floor
  • Lauren Plissey, Maine Maritime (5th Year | Forward | Hermon, Maine) - Plissey earned Judges Invitational MVP honors as she led the Mariners to a championship victory on opening weekend. The fifth-year post player shot 86% this past weekend for 31 points, in addition to 17 rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal. Against NESCAC opponent, Connecticut College, Plissey went 5-for-7 from the floor for a team-high 13 points, while adding seven rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal. She followed up against UAA opponent, Brandeis University, in the championship game with a game-high 18 points, shooting 100% from the floor, and ten rebounds for a double-double, along with an assist.
  • Brooke Guiffre, Wesleyan (Sr. | Guard | Wellesley, MA) - In the Plattsburgh State Cardinal Classic, Brooke averaged 20 ppg, 48% FG%, 6-17 3FG/FGA at 35%, going 8-10 from the line with 6 assists and 6 steals on the weekend, playing 38.5 min. per game.
  • Amanda Fudge, University of St. Joseph (CT) (Sr. | Guard | Middletown, CT) - Led the Blue Jays to a USJ Tip-Off Tournament title, being named the tournament's MVP. Averaged 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists across the two games. Dropped a game-high 21 points in the first round against Bard. Nearly recorded a triple-double against Lehman, recording 8 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.
  • Caroline Elie, Roger Williams (Jr. | Guard | Rockland, MA) - Scored 14 points, 7 rebounds with five steals and two blocks in a 71-47 win over MIT.