ROME, Ga. With the release of the USA South Athletic Conference's 2023-2024 women's basketball all-conference awards on Wednesday, the Methodist women's basketball team garnered three honors, including the Coach of the Year title given to head coach of the Monarchs,
Cheryl McNair.
For the first time in her seven years as head coach, McNair was voted Coach of the Year by her USA South counterparts. After the Monarchs were picked fourth in the conference's preseason poll, McNair directed Methodist to a 17-1 record in league play – a new program record for conference wins in a single season, and good enough to be named regular-season co-champions. Assisted by
Leigh Matthews and
Monique Sharpless, McNair guided the Monarchs to 20 total wins in the regular season.
McNair becomes the first Methodist coach to be named the USA South's Women's Basketball Coach of the Year since DeeDee Jarman received the title at the conclusion of the 1999-2000 season. She's the third coach in the history of the Methodist women's basketball program to win the award, joining Jarman and Rita Wiggs, who was named Co-Coach of the Year after the 1988-89 season.
Making the All-Conference First Team, senior
Aniyah Tate finished second in the league in scoring, leading the Monarchs with 17.8 points per game. She also led the team in rebounds, grabbing 7.3 boards per contest. Tate's offensive efficiency was evident during the regular season, as the forward made over 54% of her shot attempts, and she complemented her scoring with 188 rebounds, 46 steals, 30 assists and eight blocks.
Garnering Second Team All-Conference status, senior
Jessica Drake led the league in makes from beyond the arc, knocking down 58 three-pointers. Her shooting percentage from deep (37.7%) during the regular season ranked second in the USA South, and she trailed only Tate in points scored among the Monarchs, totaling 229 points for an average of 9.2 per game. She totaled 82 rebounds, 60 assists and 35 steals in 25 regular-season contests.
Representing Methodist on the All-Sportsmanship team is junior
Rebecca McGaughnea.
