FRISCO, Texas – After leading the league in scoring and rebounding, Nicholls State University senior guard
Cassidy Barrios became the first Colonel in program history to earn All-Southland First Team twice in their career, as the league office announced Wednesday morning its 2018-19 women's basketball awards.
Barrios was also selected to the conference's All-Defensive Team for the second straight time. She garnered both honors in her junior season before leading the Colonels to their first-ever Southland Conference Tournament title.
The awards add to an already decorated career for the Raceland, Louisiana native. Last season, she was tabbed as the league's player of the year, tournament MVP, and student-athlete of the year. She was also recognized as Louisiana's best collegiate player, earning the top honor from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Barrios was All-Southland Third team as a sophomore.
For her senior campaign, Barrios put together an even better year as one of six players in the NCAA Division I to average 20 points and 10 rebounds. She scored the most points in the Southland this season, averaging 20.7 per game, and pulled in a league-high 10.8 rebounds per game. She finished the regular season with a Southland-high 19 double-doubles, which ranked 11th in the nation.
Barrios reached double figures in scoring in all 30 games, extending her streak to 47 dating back to last season. She had at least 20 points in 21 contests, including a season-high 27 points in two separate games. A six-time Southland Player of the Week, Barrios went on to break the Colonels' all-time scoring and single-season records, passing Realia Davis (1,750 points) and
Emani White (608). Barrios and White are the only Colonels to be named All-Southland First Team, with Barrios being the lone repeat selection.
Barrios also led the Red and Gray in assists, ranking fifth in the Southland with 4.4 per game. Along with ranking in the top 5 of the SLC in points, rebounds, and assists, Barrios finished the regular season in the top 10 in every major category. She led the league in free throws made (570) and percentage (.884), which rated fourth and 13th, respectively, in the nation. Barrios ranked ninth in field goal percentage (.470), and third in 3-pointers made (55) and percentage (.414).
Defensively, Barrios was one of the country's best rebounders as she ranked seventh in the NCAA defensive rebounds. She had the third most blocks in the Southland this season (39) and had the sixth most steals (63). Barrios was the only player in the league to rank in the top 10 of both defensive statistics.
For the Southland's major awards, Lamar and Sam Houston State combined to take all five. LU won the regular season title for the second straight season, led by Chastadie Barrs who was named Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. The Cardinals' Miya Crump received the freshman honor, while Sam Houston's Jaylonn Walker was named newcomer. Bearkat coach Ravon Justice was tabbed Coach of the Year after leading her club to 11 wins in the league in her first season after Sam Houston had just one conference victory last year.
All-conference teams and individual awards are nominated and voted upon by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors. Voting for oneself or one's own players/coaches is not permitted.
The opening round of play at the 2019 Southland Conference Basketball Tournament tips off Thursday, March 14 at 11 a.m. CT inside Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy, Texas.
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS
Nicholls earned a No. 3 seed and a bye in the Southland Conference Tournament following its first 20-win campaign in school history. The Colonels will begin their title defense in the Merrell Center on Friday, March 15 at 1:30 p.m. Nicholls will play the winner of Thursday's matchup between No. 6 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and No. 7 New Orleans.
Player of the Year: Chastadie Barrs, Lamar
Defensive Player of the Year: Chastadie Barrs, Lamar
Freshman of the Year: Miya Crump, Lamar
Newcomer of the Year: Jaylonn Walker, Sam Houston State
Coach of the Year: Ravon Justice, Sam Houston State
2019 Women's Basketball All-Conference First Team
| Name |
School |
Pos. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
| Chastadie Barrs3 |
Lamar |
G |
Sr. |
DeSoto, Texas |
| Cassidy Barrios3 |
Nicholls |
G |
Sr. |
Raceland, La. |
| Moe Kinard3 |
Lamar |
G |
Sr. |
New Iberia, La. |
| Chanell Hayes |
Stephen F. Austin |
G |
Sr. |
Texarkana, Texas |
| Imani Johnson |
Stephen F. Austin |
F |
RSr. |
Lee's Summit, Mo. |
2019 Women's Basketball All-Conference Second Team
| Name |
School |
Pos. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
| Dominique Golightly |
Abilene Christian |
G/F |
Jr. |
Chickasha, Okla. |
| Kamry Orr2 |
Central Arkansas |
G |
Sr. |
Little Rock, Ark. |
| Jaylonn Walker |
Sam Houston State |
G |
Jr. |
Calvert, Texas |
| Breanna Wright2 |
Abilene Christian |
G |
Jr. |
Jarrell, Texas |
| Miya Crump |
Lamar |
F |
Fr. |
Houston, Texas |
2019 Women's Basketball All-Conference Third Team
| Name |
School |
Pos. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
| Shania Woods |
New Orleans |
C |
Sr. |
Houston, Texas |
| Sara Williamson |
Abilene Christian |
G |
Sr. |
Rowlett, Texas |
| Lydia Baxter |
Sam Houston State |
F |
Sr. |
Austin, Texas |
| Alexes Bryant |
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
F |
Jr. |
Cibolo, Texas |
| Dalesia Booth |
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
G |
Jr. |
San Antonio, Texas |
2 Two-time All-Conference selection
3 Three-time All-Conference selection
Honorable Mention: Emma Young, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi; Jenniffer Oramas, Sam Houston State; Amanda Johnson, Houston Baptist; RaVon Nero, Northwestern State; Celica Sterling, Southeastern Louisiana; Callie Maddox, McNeese
2019 Women's Basketball All-Defensive Team
| Name |
School |
Pos. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
| Chastadie Barrs4 |
Lamar |
G |
Sr. |
DeSoto, Texas |
| Alexes Bryant |
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
F |
Jr. |
Cibolo, Texas |
| Kamry Orr |
Central Arkansas |
G |
Sr. |
Little Rock, Ark. |
| Cassidy Barrios2 |
Nicholls |
G |
Sr. |
Raceland, La. |
| Stephanie Visscher |
Stephen F. Austin |
G |
Fr. |
Lulea, Sweden |
4 Four-time All-Defensive selection
2 Two-time All-Defensive selection
