The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Women's Basketball Holds Postseason Banquet
4/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
April 11, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- The UAB women's basketball team held its first postseason banquet under head coach Audra Smith Saturday night at the Green and Gold Room in Bartow Arena. Smith, who just completed her first season with the Blazers, thanked those who supported the team this season, including many parents who were in attendance.
Assistant coach Daryl Oliver presented the first three awards. Freshmen LaKitha Murray and Christon Ingram were honored as they shared the Most Improved Player award. Sophomore Crystal McFadden was given the Free Throw Percentage award, after hitting 75.5 percent of her shots from the charity stripe this season. Next, sophomore Carmen Guzman was presented with the Best Offensive Player award, after leading UAB with 13.9 points per game.
The next three awards were presented by assistant coach Kathy Allen. Sophomore Domaneice Moore received the Chairman of the Boards award as she was the Blazers' top rebounder, grabbing 7.3 boards a contest. Senior Katie Billue was presented with the Academic Award. Billue currently has a 4.0 GPA and is majoring in psychology and operations management. Additionally, Billue was recently named one of 10 semifinalists for the national College Basketball Award of Excellence.
Larezia Williams was honored with the Unsung Hero Award, after walking onto the team in December. Williams, who joined the team as a practice player in the fall, was added to the roster after showing the staff a tremendous amount of determination and heart. Williams appeared in nine games for UAB during the season.
Smith returned to the podium to present the final three honors of the evening. Guzman was named the Blazers' MVP this season, after leading the team in scoring (13.9 ppg), assists (60), steals (61) and minutes played (34.4 mpg).
The Blazers' lone senior, Billue, was also recognized. Billue, a four-year letterwinner who set several career highs this season, was presented with two pieces of luggage by the coaching staff.
The final award of the evening was the Coaches Award, given an administrator who had shown tremendous support of the team and coaches throughout the season. Senior Woman Administrator Rosalind Ervin was presented with the award.
The 2004-05 Blazers finished with a record of 7-21 overall and 4-10 in Conference USA. UAB participated in the C-USA Tournament for the second-consecutive season.
2004-05 UAB Women's Basketball Awards
Most Improved Player: LaKitha Murray and Christon Ingram
Free Throw Percentage: Crystal McFadden
Best Offensive Player: Carmen Guzman
Chairman of the Boards: Domaneice Moore
Academic Award: Katie Billue
Unsung Hero Award: Larezia Williams
Most Valuable Player: Carmen Guzman
Senior Recognition: Katie Billue
Coaches Award (Administrator): Rosalind Ervin
