Reah P. Nicholson 03/30/10
Joanna Miller averaged 19.1 points and 5.6 rebounds as a freshman
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University freshman guard Joanna Miller was selected to the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) University Division All-State Women’s Basketball Second Team, announced Tuesday. “Many athletes talk about what they are going to do and what they want to do,” said NCCU head coach Joli Robinson. “Joanna and her father had a plan on what she needed to do and she worked through that plan. For her to accomplish this as a freshman is a great honor.”
Miller, a native of Los Angeles, Calif., ended her rookie season with 496 points, which is a single-season total only three other Lady Eagles have reached in the past 20 years. Her 496 points is the most points scored by a freshman in Lady Eagle history.
She stands fifth in NCCU history for scoring average in a season after notching 19.1 points per contest, while leading her team in scoring, steals, free throw percentage and minutes played. The freshman was second on the team in rebounds, grabbing 5.6 rebounds per game, and second in assists with 66.
Miller dished a season-high six assists and grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds against Chicago State and recorded a season-high six steals in five different outings. She has scored 20 more points in 14 games this season and netted a season-high 32 points against Maryland Eastern Shore on Jan. 7.
The California native has recorded double-figures in scoring in 24 of the Lady Eagles’ contests. She appeared in 26 games this season, where she started in 24. Miller also racked up two All-Tournament Team honors.
“A coach once told me, ‘be patient, your hard work will once pay off’, and to always remember who you are truly working for,” continued Robinson. “Joanna’s hard work has simply paid off for her.”
Ten student-athletes make-up the 2009-10 NCCSIA University Division All-State Women’s Basketball Team with five on the first team and five on the second team. Each student-athlete is nominated by a North Carolina Sports Information professional and the team is selected by NCCSIA members.
The first team is highlighted by four student-athletes that have helped lead their teams to postseason play and another student-athlete that garnered league Freshman of the Year honors. Making up the first team are North Carolina A&T’s Ta’Wuana Cook, Elon’s Ali Ford, Gardner-Webb’s Dominique Hudson and Margaret Roundtree, and Charlotte’s Shannon McCallum.
Miller is joined on the second team by Davidson’s Sophia Aleksandravicius and Alex Thompson, Western Carolina’s Emily Clarke and Charlotte’s Ashley Spriggs.
Founded in 2002, NCCSIA is comprised of sports information professionals from North Carolina’s NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and independent institutions for the purpose of promoting college athletics in the state. Membership is open to anyone affiliated with a college, university or conference located in North Carolina whose responsibilities include sports information.
NCCSIA selects all-state teams in the university (NCAA Division I) and college (Division II, III, NAIA, NCCAA) divisions for women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, softball and baseball. Over 500 student-athletes have been recognized on all-state teams since 2003.
2009-10 NCCSIA All-State Women’s Basketball First Team (University Division)
Name Yr. Pos. School Hometown
Ta’Wuana Cook Sr. Guard North Carolina A&T Fayetteville, N.C.
Ali Ford Fr. Guard Elon Morganton, N.C.
Dominique Hudson Jr. Guard Gardner-Webb Rocky Mount, N.C.
Shannon McCallum Jr. Guard Charlotte Whiteville, N.C.
Margaret Roundtree Sr. Forward Gardner-Webb Durham, N.C.
2009-10 NCCSIA All-State Women’s Basketball Second Team (University Division)
Name Yr. Pos. School Hometown
Sophia Aleksandravicius Fr. Forward Davidson Pound Ridge, N.Y.
Emily Clarke Jr. Guard Western Carolina Snellville, Ga.
Joanna Miller Fr. Guard N.C Central Los Angeles, Calif.
Ashley Spriggs Sr. Forward Charlotte Mitchellville, Md.
Alex Thompson Sr. Guard Davidson Asheville, NC