University of Tennessee Athletics
BB Signees Naismith Finalists
February 17, 2011 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 17, 2011
by Debby Jennings, Assoc. AD for Media Relations
ATLANTA, Ga. - The top prep basketball players in the nation are poised to become the newest additions to the Naismith Awards family as the Atlanta Tipoff Club today announced the finalists in those categories.
Two of the five finalists are Lady Vol basketball signees for the coming year as Cierra Burdick, of Butler H.S. in Matthews, N.C. and Ariel Massengale, Bolingbrook H.S. in Bolingbrook, Ill., headline the final list which also includes: Krystal Forthan, Georgetown H.S., Austin, Texas, Kaleena Mossqueda-Lewis, Mater Dei H.S., Santa Anna, Calif., and Elizabeth Williams, Princess Anne High School, Virginia Beach, Va.
The finalists were chosen by leading basketball journalists from around the country who form the national voting academy and identify players and coaches under consideration for these awards. The winners will be recognized by the Atlanta Tipoff Club at its season-ending Naismith Awards Banquet on March 21 in Atlanta.
"The talent at the top is so close that it's really going to be tough to decide. There are several strong candidates and their late-season performances probably will create an edge for the winners. The same goes for the coaches, because there are some very worthy candidates who are having great years," said Dave Krider, MaxPreps senior writer. "The Naismith name speaks for itself. However, I applaud the Atlanta Tipoff Club for honoring high school basketball players since 1987, as well as collegians."
The University of Tennessee has a proud tradition of Naismith High School Players of the Year as seven future Lady Vols were named eight times: Candace Parker (2003, 2004), Shyra Ely (2001), Kara Lawson (1999), Tamika Catchings (1997), Chamique Holdsclaw (1995), Michelle Marciniak (1991) and Lisa Harrison (1989).
