ISU women's basketball celebrates 2011-12 season

[March 29, 2012]  NORMAL -- Redbird Arena was alive with cheers for the ISU women's basketball team one more time Wednesday night, as the team, coaches, family and fans came together to celebrate the 2011-12 season. The annual event featured year-end awards, a highlight video and a senior presentation.

Illinois State made believers out of nonbelievers, as the Redbirds finished second in the Missouri Valley Conference after being picked to finish sixth in the preseason poll. ISU finished the season with a 19-13 record, posting a 13-5 effort in conference play, and advanced to the WNIT for the fourth consecutive season.

Several team awards were presented, including statistical awards. Three players were recognized for leading the team in different statistical categories during the year.

Marley Hall had the team's best field goal percentage (48.3), Candace Sykes had the best 3-point field goal percentage (41.1) and was the top-rebounder (8.0 rpg), while Jamie Russell recorded the best free throw percentage (79.4) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.4).

The Best Offensive Player Award was given to Katie Broadway, who ranked first on the team in scoring (16.2 ppg) and led the Redbirds with 89 3-pointers, which set a school record. She scored in double figures in 27 games. Broadway scored the 1,000th point of her career with a career-high 29 points against Creighton, making her the 27th player in program history to accomplish the feat.

Russell received the Best Defensive Player Award. She led the Redbirds in steals with 82, which puts her in ninth place on the all-time steals list in a single season and ranked third on the team in rebounding (5.3 rpg).

For their efforts on both sides of the ball, Broadway and Russell shared the Most Valuable Player honors for the 2011-12 season.

Broadway and Alison Seberger were both given the Best Teammate Award, for a starter and nonstarter respectively.

Hall received the Most Improved Award for the second straight season for being the player who improved the most from the start of the season.

Chloe Nelson was given the Redbird Award for the second straight season, which is given to a player who best represents Redbird women's basketball in the classroom, on the court and in the community. She is always willing to give of her time and help in any area. This person has a servant's heart and a willingness to go above and beyond what is asked of her.

Nelson and Russell shared the Hustle Award.

Broadway also received the annual Jill Hutchison Leadership Award, which is given to a player who exemplifies all of the characteristics of a Redbird women's basketball player. The award is named in honor of Hutchison, the former Redbird women's coach and Women's Basketball Hall of Fame member. She led the Redbirds to 98 wins in the last four years, four-straight national postseason appearances, including three-straight semifinals appearances in the WNIT.

The Redbird senior class of Broadway was honored at the end of the night.

2011-12 Illinois State Women's Basketball Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Katie Broadway and Jamie Russell

• Best Offensive Player: Katie Broadway

• Best Defensive Players: Jamie Russell

• Jill Hutchison Leadership Award: Katie Broadway

• Hustle Award: Chloe Nelson and Jamie Russell

• Best Teammates: Katie Broadway and Alison Seberger

• Most Improved Player: Marley Hall

• Redbird Award: Chloe Nelson

[Text received from Lauren Hutchcraft, Illinois State University]