McGee named defensive player of the year; four land on All-Conference team
By Mike Pilosof
Photo by Adam Shrimplin
Garden City, KS-Their final record may not show it, but Garden City was one of the best defensive teams in the country. And that unit was spearheaded by Donetria McGee.
On Tuesday, the was named the Jayhawk West co-defensive player of the year, sharing the honor with Northwest Tech's Lauryn Viera. Her teammates: Jaleah Bellany, Alyssa Boyce and Ariyanna Hall were named All-Conference Honorable Mentions.
McGee averaged 7.3 points, four rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. She recording eight steals over the final three games of the season and tallied a season-high three thefts four times- vs. Seward, Colby, Coffeyville and Allen. On the offensive end, she scored in double figures nine times, which included a career-high 20-point showing in a 112-111 triple overtime loss to Cowley on Dec. 7.
"There wasn't a time Donetria didn't ask me to guard the opposing team's best player," Interim Head Coach Mike "Scoop" Harding said. "She was our best on-ball defender."
Bellany finished the year averaging 14 points per game while shooting 35 percent from downtown. She was fourth in the Jayhawk Conference in made 3's (74) and 10th in percentage. She nailed a career-best seven long balls in Garden City's upset-win over Butler on Jan. 20. In fact, she drilled four or more triples nine times.
Boyce closed her Garden City career by averaging 13 points, 3.3 rebounds, two assists and 2.3 steals per game. She scored in double figures 20 times and scored a season-high 25 points vs. Allen on Nov. 30 and against Colby on Jan. 29. She recorded three or more steals 11 times including a season-best five vs. Coffeyville on Dec. 11.
You could argue that Hall was Garden City's most complete player. The freshman, who sat out nine games, still averaged 12 points, four rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. She scored a season-high 26 vs. Hutchinson on Jan. 15. It was one of four 20-point contests for the Arkansas native. Hall also shot 37 percent on 3's, good for seventh best in the league. She was 23rd in both points and 3-pointers made.