Written by Cianna Jay \/\/ Photo by Macy Cox<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Bisons ended their basketball season with 25 wins, the third time in program history the team ended with that many victories. Though they lost their last game March 5 against Southern Nazarene University and could not advance to the NCAA tournament, the team placed second in the Great American Conference. Several players earned All-GAC tournament honors, including senior guard Jacie Evans, junior forward Sage Hawley and sophomore guard Rory Geer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Hawley, this has been a season full of accomplishments. She became the third Lady Bison to earn both First Team All-Central Region and Academic All-America honors and the second Lady Bison named Second Team All-America by the Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association, an award voted on by Division II sports information directors. Hawley also set a school record with 20 double-doubles. A double-double is when a player accumulates 10 or more in at least two statistical categories \u2014 points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocked shots \u2014 during a single game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is a tribute to Sage and our team having a great season,\u201d head women\u2019s basketball coach Tim Kirby said about Hawley earning Second Team. \u201cWhen an individual gets recognition for their accomplishments, it also gives the team some recognition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hawley said the team has pushed her to where she is now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis was my third year on the team, and I think everybody that’s come through has really pushed me to be a better person,\u201d Hawley said. \u201cSpecifically, I think the coaches really have high expectations for me, and I feel like this year I was able to meet a lot of them. And that’s always my goal. And then I think my teammates know more than me sometimes about, like where I can be and where I should be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hawley noted the influence of Evans in particular in showing her what leadership looks like. The two have been close friends since Hawley\u2019s freshman year, according to Evans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s someone that can always make me smile,\u201d Evans said. \u201cI know when Sage is around, she is going to either be dancing or making us laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Lady Bisons\u2019 last game, Evans led the team with 21 points. She was also named a 2023 Distinguished Scholar Athlete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis season was very successful in my eyes, and I know it was in my coaches\u2019 eyes as well,\u201d Evans said. \u201cWe won a lot of games and played hard consistently throughout our season. It\u2019s disappointing we didn\u2019t get a chance at the NCAA tournament. However, I am more than content with how our team played this year. It was my first time here at Harding to make it to the conference finals and, as a senior, that\u2019s exactly where you want to be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hawley said the team is currently focusing on off-season training and she\u2019s excited for the season ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want all the awards I get if I can, but really, the main thing is I want a GAC championship,\u201d Hawley said. \u201cI want that not only for myself and the senior class, but also just for the people that have pushed me to be this way. \u2026 Then I want to go as far as I can in the NCAA tournament.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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