have been named the Athletes of the Month for February at Peru State College (PSC).
noted, “Both Courtney and Derrick are deserving of the recognition as they helped lead their basketball teams in February. In addition, both earned post-season honors and they each established themselves in the Bobcat records by going over the 1,000 point mark for their careers.”
For both Ward and Williams, this was their second time being recognized as the Athlete of the Month. Ward earned recognition in December while Williams was January's male athlete.
Ward earned her second Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Player of the Week honors for the final week of the regular season. In addition, Ward was named to the HAAC All-Conference Second Team, the lone Bobcat to receive any recognition.
In the HAAC, Ward finished as the conference's top shot-blocker with 45 total blocks averaging 1.5 blocks per game. Ward also led the conference in field goal percentage as she made 172 of her 329 attempts for 52.3 percent. In rebounding, Ward was tops in most rebounds snared during the year with 310 and offensive rebounds per game with five.
In addition, Ward finished among the leaders in the following categories: second in total scoring (410); second in rebounds per game (10.33); second in double doubles with 14; fifth in scoring per game (13.67); fifth in defensive rebounds per game (5.33); tenth in total steals (46); and 14
th in steals per game (1.53).
Nationally, Ward is listed in numerous NAIA Division I rankings. Ward is fourth in offensive rebounds per game (5.0), seventh in total rebounds (310), 13
th in total rebounds per game (10.33); 14
th in field goal percentage (52.3%), 21
st in total blocks (45), 25
th in blocks per game (1.5), 45
th in defensive rebounds per game (5.33), and 47
th in total scoring (410).
Ward finished the season with 1,044 points and will move into the Top Ten Career Scoring category next year. In addition, Ward is only seven blocked shots away from tying the career blocked shots record of 135, having finished her third year with 128.
Williams earned HAAC First Team recognition for his season's efforts.
For Williams, it was his third straight first team honors, having earned similar status in Peru State College's (PSC) previous conference, the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference.
In the HAAC, Williams finished as the conference's leading scorer, averaging 19.59 points per game (ppg). In other HAAC categories, Williams finished second in total scoring (529); fourth in field goal percentage (.449); tied for fourth in double doubles (4); 12
th in free throw percentage (.661); 12
th in defensive rebounds per game (3.70); tied for 13
th in total steals (34); 14
th in steals per game (1.26); 15
th in rebounds per game (5.26); 18
th in total rebounds (142); and 18
th in offensive rebounds per game (1.56).
Nationally, Williams presently ranks 18
th in points per game and 20
th in total scoring.
