CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Five former all-conference selections from five different America East squads highlight the 2014-15 America East Preseason All-Conference Team, the conference office announced Wednesday. The five-player team was voted on by the nine women’s basketball coaches who were not permitted to vote for their own players.
The team includes 2013-14 America East Player of the Year in University at Albany junior Shereesha Richards along with fellow 2013-14 All-Conference First Team selection in Stony Brook University senior, Sabre Proctor. Three 2013-14 All-Conference Second Team picks are also featured on the Preseason All-Conference team including Maine junior Liz Wood, New Hampshire junior Corinne Coia and UMass Lowell senior Shannon Samuels.
Shereesha Richards, Albany, Jr., F, Rae Town, Jamaica
- Richards had a record-setting season for the Great DAnes last year, leading the conference in scoring (20.0 ppg), rebounding (8.9 rpg) and field goal percentage (62.4%)
- She was the first player in league history to lead the conference in scoring, rebounding and field goal percnetage in the same season and her 20.0 points per game average was the highest since 2008-09.
- Richards set a league record with eight America East Player of the Week honors and was the 2013-14 Player of the Year.
Liz Wood, Maine, Jr., F, Catlett, Va.
- Wood was the only player to rank in the top-10 of the conference in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and assists last year.
- She was an All-Conference Second Team selection, averaged 12.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
- Wood led the team in scoring 14 times and recorded four double-doubles
Shannon Samuels, UMass Lowell, Sr., G,, Windsor, Conn.
- Samuiels was an All-Conference Second Team selection as a junior after finishing second in the conference in scoring.
- She averaged 15.7 points per game, but also was a standout defender, averaging 2.1 steals per game.
- She led the team in scoring 12 times, including a season-high 35-point performance against Stony Brook.
Corinne Coia, New Hampshire, Jr., F, North Smithfield, R.I.
- Coia was New Hampshire’s second leading scorer last year and is one of the top front court players in the conference.
- She averaged 11.8 points while shooting at a 47.5-percent clip to rank in the top-10 of the conference in both categories.
- Coia was an All-Conference Second Team selection last year and is the team’s leading returning scorer.
Sabre Proctor, Stony Brook, Sr., F, Harrisburg, Pa.
- Proctor, an All-Conference First Team pick as a junior, ranked third in the conference in scoring at 14.4 points per game.
- Her scoring aveage was the highest for a Seawolf since 2006-07,. She registered 20-plus points ten times during the year and reached double figures in 27 of the team’s 33 games.
- Proctor helped Stony Brook set a program record with 24 wins last season.
2014-15 Preseason All-Conference Team
Shereesha Richards, Jr., Albany
Liz Wood, Jr., Maine
Shannon Samuels, Sr., UMass Lowell
Corinne Coia, Jr., New Hampshire
Sabre Proctor, Sr., Stony Brook